Atlantafi.com is bringing you the latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has the state of Georgia and the city of Atlanta under a state of emergency.
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An additional round of funds for the In Her Hands initiative, the largest guaranteed income program in the South, is expected to open. This time around, the community site is Southwest Georgia’s Clay-Randolph-Terrell county cluster, Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward and College Park, Georgia.
The site will open in early 2024. Read on to see the exact deadline for applications.
Program Offers Black Women $850 A Month, No Strings Attached
This article will tell you how to qualify and apply for the In Her Hands initiative.
What Is The In Her Hands Initiative?
In Her Hands is a $13 billion initiative to help solve financial insecurities facing America’s most vulnerable group: women of color. The program is backed by partnership the Georgia Resilience & Opportunity Fund (GRO Fund) and GiveDirectly and promises to provide unconditional cash transfers averaging $850 per month for two years to 650+ Black women in Georgia.
According to the GroFund’s website, the program is a bold move to reverse the economic fortunes of those who have fallen behind and been ignored by America’s policymakers and wealth-builders.
“We are disrupting ‘business as usual’ by promoting assistance that is direct, flexible, dignified, and specifically focused on improving the financial health of Black women,” it says on the website.
What Are The Requirements For The In Her Hands Fund?
Eligible applicants must be women 18 years or older (inclusive of transgender women and non-binary individuals) living in one of the three project sites chosen by the initiative. So far, the three project sites are:
- Old Fourth Ward (currently accepting applications)
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Southwest Georgia (Clay, Randolph, and Terrell County). (Application opened on June 6).
- College Park, Georgia
To qualify, you also must have been impacted by COVID-19 and make less than or equal to two times the federal poverty line.
How To Apply For the In Her Hands Initiative
To apply for the In Her Hands initiative, you need to be a black woman, a resident of the Old Fourth Ward and, as mentioned, earn less than or equal to two times the federal poverty line.
The final application period is set to open in 2024.
You will need to give some personal information such as:
- Your full name, date of birth, and home address
- A mobile phone number
- A picture of your photo ID (if you have one; if you do not have one, we will ask you to take a photo of yourself instead)
Here’s How Participants Will Be Selected
Participants will be chosen from a randomized lottery from the pool of eligible applicants. Half of the recipients will receive $850 a month for 24 months. The other half will receive a first, lump sum up payment for $4,300 followed by 23 months of $700 payments.
To submit, fill out this online application.
Final Word
If you are selected for the initiative, you will be notified via email or text message within four weeks of submitting your application.
Miriam Laker, research director at GiveDirectly, said, “This project is limited to 650 households in three communities in Georgia, but will deepen our understanding of how guaranteed income impacts a specific demographic: Black women. We expect the research findings will inform more inclusive policy design in the future.”Who couldn’t use an extra $850 a month in their budget? if you’re a Georgia woman of color, you could qualify for this money. The funds are possible due to the In Her Hands initiative, the largest guaranteed income program in the South.More AtlantaFi.com Articles: -
Do you have a gift card from Amazon or another retailer and you’re wondering how to use it?
If they’re not expired, gift cards can be used just like cash for purchases. If you have a Visa gift card, you can use it on Amazon to buy the things you need.
In this article, we’re going to go over how to use your Visa gift card on Amazon.
How To Use A Visa Gift Card On Amazon
As you may know, Amazon accepts many gift cards and other pre-paid cards that can be redeemed to purchase items online. In fact, many shoppers prefer gift cards because they have so many uses.
Follow these steps to use your Visa gift card on Amazon (And note: You can use several different cards to add up to a large sum).
- Go to Amazon.com’s Reload Your Balance page
- Enter the amount on your Visa gift card (you’ll have to do this for each subsequent Visa card as well)
- You’ll have to sign in to continue. Once you do that, tap the “Edit” button where it says payment method
- Tap “Add a card”
- Enter your gift card balance and other information
- Select your gift card and tap “Done” button
- It will take you back to the Reload Your Balance page, where you can verify the balance by tapping “Reload”
Once you complete those seven steps, your Visa card will be loaded onto your Amazon account and you can begin using it to buy stuff.
Last Words
Amazon doesn’t take all gift cards. They have to meet the guidelines that they have set out.
Here are two restrictions that apply to Visa, American Express and -MasterCard:
- The gift cards can’t be combined with credit cards on a single purchase
- Amazon also doesn’t use the three-digit CVV code normally found on the back of some cards
BEFORE YOU GO, take a look at all the top deals happening on our Retail Page. Don’t pay full price for things when you can get GREAT VALUE on items for low prices. Don’t want to miss a deal? Sign up for our #ATLHaps list HERE🙂
Looking to shop? Check out the best malls in Atlanta
NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO, take a look at all the top deals on our Retail Page, there are PLENTY of good deals that you don’t want to miss! Subscribe to our #ATLHaps Newsletter HERE and get the deals delivered to your inbox 🙂Along with the wonderful things to eat and do in Atlanta, there are also so awesome places to shop.
In addition to malls, many Atlanta boutiques and consignment shops have daily deals so that you can save money.
Atlanta’s retail scene continues to be a bright spot for the local economy — and that means more sales for everyone!
Here are more articles from AtlantaFi.com you might like:
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Small business owners are still struggling more than two years after the COVID-19 pandemic began. Thankfully, there’s help that these businesses and entrepreneurs can reach out for and receive.
Keep reading to see other funding opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses.
If you’re an entrepreneur, many entities are trying to make grants available to you right now. All you have to do is apply for the assistance.
If you’re unsure about what a grant entails, here’s what you need to know first:
What Is A Grant?
A grant is a funding for our business or service that does not to be repaid. The federal government is the #1 supplier of grants in the United States.
American businesses and entrepreneurs with projects that need funding use grants to get their ideas off the ground and into fruition. Many organizations also use grants to support critical recovery initiatives, research, and many other community programs.
The Small Business Association is specifically trying to help the smaller companies affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Check Out These Small Business Grants For COVID-19
Here are several grants and loans available right now for your small business impacted by COVID-19.
Atlanta Resurgence Grant Fund
The Atlanta Resurgence Grant Fund gives up to $40,000 to small local businesses impacted by the pandemic.
The grant is open through April 29, 2022. Apply here.
Facebook Small Grants Program
Facebook is another company offering big money to businesses. This time, the social media giant has pledged $40 million in grants. How it works is that Facebook will give $4,000 grants ($2500 cash, $1500 in optional ads credits) to 10,000 qualifying small businesses to keep them afloat.
Interested in the Facebook Small Grants Program? Apply here.
GoFundMe Small Business Relief Fund
GoFundMe has partnered with smaller stakeholders to offer the Small Business Relief Fund to those who apply. The grant gives those who are selected $500. Apply here.
Fearless Strivers Grant Contest
The Fearless Strivers Grant Contest is open only to black women who meet the eligibility requirements. You can get $10,000 if you are accepted.
Apply for the Fearless Strivers Grant Contest here.
Halstead Grant
Visa • IFundWomen Grant
Visa is partnering with IFundWomen to offer grants to Black women-owned small businesses. The program is providing 10 grants of $10,000 each as well as one year of IFundWomen Annual Coaching Membership.
To qualify for the grant, you must:
- Be a Black woman
- Have a business up and running for at least two years
- Have a minimum annual revenue of at least $24,000
Apply for the Visa + IFundWomen Grant Here.
Hidden Star Minority Grant
Hidden Star is offering $3,500 grants for minority businesses. If you’re interested, apply for the Hidden Star grant.
Small Business Administration Restaurant Revitalization Fund
The Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) provides funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses stay open. Food businesses may be eligible to get funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Recipients don’t have to repay the grant if the money is used for eligible expenses by March 11, 2023.
Apply for the SBA Restaurant Revitalization Fund
Shuttered Venue Operators Grant
The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program is still being administered by SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance until funds are depleted. Eligible businesses can get grants an amount equal to 45% of their 2019 gross earned revenue OR $10 million, whichever is less.
Apply for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant
Final Thoughts
For more resources tailored toward Atlanta, see Invest Atlanta’s website.
If you want to prepare your small business for the second round of PPP loans, the University of Georgia is holding a series of web seminars to give you all the information you need.
The seminars are set for:
- Tuesday, January 19
- Wednesday, January 20
- Thursday, January 21
Know of any other grants for small businesses? Let us know in the comments.
Interested in other ways to save or make money? Check out our Money Section:
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Take a good look at your local gas stations and you’ll see it: Gas prices are rising. And affordable gasoline is getting hard to find not only in your local area, but nationwide.
As of right now, 24 states have average gas prices that have risen above $4 a gallon, according to AAA. You may wonder what those prices have to do with what’s going on at the pumps in Georgia: This article will tell you that as well as why now is a good time to fuel up.
Why Are Gas Prices So High In Atlanta Right Now?
Gas prices are high in Atlanta and other major metropolitan cities currently because of the stresses on the world oil market caused by the war in Ukraine.
Although it is true that crude oil prices have fallen over the past week or so, gasoline prices usually take several weeks before they follow suit. That means Atlanta motorists are in for more pain at the pump.
What Affects Gas Prices?
Factors that affect gas prices include how much the OPEC nations charge for oil. As you know, the OPEC nations are a cartel of nations that set and regulate oil prices around the world.
Another thing that affects gas prices is the weather and global crises like COVID-19 and in this case the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
All of that is why now is a good time to fill up your vehicle with petro. Gas up now so that you won’t be paying higher prices in the near future.
Where Is Cheap Gas Near You?
To save time, you can use Google to find cheap gas. Visit this link to find cheap gas near you.
Here’s How You Can Save Money On Gas
If you’re wondering what it takes to save money on gas, here are three suggestions you can put to good use.
- Use a Gas App
- Pay With Cash
- Join A Rewards Program
Last Words
One misconception that may be costing you money is assuming that buying a higher grade of fuel will help your car to run better. That’s not true in every case!
To find out what kind of gas benefits your car, refer to the owner’s manual. If it says that premium gasoline is recommended, then by all means please use that.
The truth is that cheap gas may work find for your vehicle. The type of gas you use will affect your engine’s performance and fuel economy, so always follow what’s written in your car’s manual.
Interested in other ways to save or make money? Check out our Money Section:
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If you’re looking to get funded for an idea, project or company, one of the easiest ways to do that is to get money from the government.
The U.S. government awards tens of millions of dollars a year to Americans who apply and get accepted for loan and grant programs. Could you be the next awardee? Read on to find out how it works.
How To Get Government Money
In this article, we’re going to tell you how to get money from the government via loans and grants.
Here Are the Best Grant Sites For Free Money
How Do You Borrow Money From The Government?
The way to get money from the government is to apply at the official federal website GovLoans.gov. This is a great resource that not only allows you to apply for loans but provides free information on how to fill out application forms and see monetary opportunities.
GovLoans.gov has several categories that you can find loans in, including:
- Agriculture
- Anti-Violence Efforts
- Anti-Hunger Efforts
- Business
- Disaster Relief
- Education Efforts
- Housing
- Military Assistance and more.
Instead of a loan, it’s best to see if you can get a grant, although you may only qualify for a free loan.
What Is A Free Loan?
A free loan is an arrangement that gives you money that you don’t have to pay back. The government may call it different things, primarily a grant.
With a free loan, once you’re approved you won’t have to worry about paying interest or even an origination fee like most loans. That’s why it’s called a free loan.
What Is The Easiest Government Loan To Get?
The easiest loan to get is a student loan. Of the two most common students loans, the most popular is the Direct Loan, which is easy to qualify.
The loans typically give you a 10-year grace period before you begin to pay for the loan, if you can’t get it forgiven by the government.
Final Word
Although the information is free to research, getting approved for.a government grant or loan is difficult in most cases. It takes a lot of time to complete the applications and you have to fit stringent requirements, but you can do it.
If you have a good proposal you can get free money from the government.
Are you trying to become more financially literate? Check out Money Mondays at AtlantaFi.com, where we’ll share strategies to save and make cash.
If saving money is something you’re serious about, AtlantaFi.com has a lot of resources to help you.More From AtlantaFi.com: -
So you’re about to sign a new lease agreement to rent a place of your own. You’re about to get the keys. All you have to do is sign the lease.
Before you do, there are some very important things you need to know.When Do You Sign The Lease To An Apartment?
You sign the lease to an apartment when you’ve made sure you can afford the place and the terms are favorable to you. Many tenants skip this step and it comes back to bite them.
Please know that when you sign an apartment lease, you’re agreeing to a contract. That means you’ll be legally bound to follow what’s in the lease.
The landlord has done all he or she could to get you to sign up for a new apartment. Perhaps they’ve taken you to the pool area and tried to impress you with the courtyard. Maybe you’ve been treated to the excellent fitness center or community room with a huge bar and billiards table.Before you sign the dotted line, you should remember to make sure you know the following things:1. Know Who You’re Renting From
Landlords will typically do a background check on you before they decide to rent to you. They want to know what type of person you are and more importantly, whether you’re a criminal.For the same reasons, you should do some research on your prospective landlord as well.Go to a website like RateMyLandlord, landlord online or ReviewMyLandlord.com to see what you can find out about your landlord before you sign the dotted line.2. Document The Property’s Condition
Many landlords will not disclose cosmetic damage that is hidden or undetected by the tenant. That’s why you should look for things that could be broken or damaged in the apartment.Once you find something that is already damaged, make sure it’s written down in the lease.This will legally protect you in the future if there is a dispute about the condition of the property.3. Make Sure You Know About All Fees
In addition to your monthly rent, many landlords will tack on other fees and charges not specified in the lease.For example, there may be a service fee to use the trash chute. There also could be a service charge to use the washing machines.Make a list of all the charges associated with your rent. Total it up so you can see how much renting there is actually costing you.Final Word
Getting a new place is not as simple as looking online and asking to sign the lease. Your money, and more importantly, your safety, should be guaranteed beforehand. -
Buying the items you need has never been easier with online shopping, but are you using Google Shopping to get the best deal?
Google’s shopping tool can help savvy consumers save more money as well as get to the products they want. The redesigned Google Shopping experience now lets you track prices on items you want to buy.
In this article, we’re going to show you in a few easy steps how to track prices in Google Shopping.
Track Prices With Google Shopping And Save Money
If you’re not aware, Google Shopping is a shopping comparison tool that you can access inside your internet browser or via app. With Google Shopping, you can browse departments, search products and compare across stores.
Among the recent changes to the site is that you now have the option to buy an item three ways:
- You can choose to purchase online
- At a local store that has the product
- Or directly from retailers on Google
While all of that is great, perhaps the most important change to savings-minded shoppers is the new “price track” tool.
How Price Track Works
When you see an item you’re interested in, turn on “price track” and you’ll receive a notification on your phone when the price of that item drops. Let;s walk through the steps:
1. Go to Google Shopping and Search For Your Item
As an example, I searched for a Playstation 4 Pro gaming console and found one for $399.99.
2. In the Right Rail, Find the Track Prices Icon
I think I can get a better price, so I located the Track price button.
3. Toggle It to On to Track Prices
Once I toggled the Track price button to on, a got a screen notification that says: “You’ll get price drop alerts for Sony Playstation 4 Pro.” Here’s a screenshot of what that message looks like:
Google says you’ll have the option to receive those alerts through email, where you’ll be notified of any price changes.
How to Stop Tracking Products
You can stop tracking products either of two ways:
- By returning to the Google Shopping product page and turning the price toggle off.
- Or by going to Google’s My Activity page and deleting your activity history.
Now you’re tracking the product’s price and Google will notify you if it goes on sale. Google will send a daily email with information on price changes over the past 24 hours. You can stop tracking products in Google Shopping by going to Google’s My Activity page and deleting your activity history.
Last Words
Ultimately, tracking prices is a great way to save money for all kinds of items you need. If you want to save on groceries, tracking prices is how you do it.
BEFORE YOU GO, take a look at all the top deals happening on our Retail Page. Don’t pay full price for things when you can get GREAT VALUE on items for low prices. Don’t want to miss a deal? Sign up for our #ATLHaps list HERE🙂NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO, take a look at all the top deals on our Clothes Page, there are PLENTY of good deals that you don’t want to miss! Subscribe to our #ATLHaps Newsletter HERE and get the deals delivered to your inbox 🙂Along with the wonderful things to eat and do in Atlanta, there are also so awesome places to shop.
In addition to malls, many Atlanta boutiques and consignment shops have daily deals so that you can save money.
Atlanta’s retail scene continues to be a bright spot for the local economy — and that means more sales for everyone!
Here are more articles from AtlantaFi.com you might like:
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Starting an OnlyFans is a great way to make money fast. The platform pays regularly once you gain an audience.
In this article, I’m going to show you how to generate income from your OnlyFans account.
What Is OnlyFans?
OnlyFans is a video content subscription service founded in 2016 by British tech entrepreneur Timothy Stokely. Since then, the service has grown exponentially in the U.K. and U.S.
The platform has been associated with sexual/erotic videos, but content creators are free to make whatever content they want to. That means if you can come up with something creative, people will pay for it.
How Does OnlyFans Work?
OnlyFans allows content creators to monetize by getting users to pay for video subscriptions. This makes you your own business.
The content you create is only available to those that pay you a monthly fee. Here’s what OnlyFans pays you:
As of this writing, for the first four months you can get a maximum $100 in tips. It then increases to $200.
The payout period is currently 21 days, which is an increase of 14 days.
When you sign up for an account, it’s important that you use your real name. The reason is because that is where your payment information will be directed.
Is OnlyFans Safe?
OnlyFans is safe for creators as well as subscribers. For all transactions the site uses a secure third-party payment vendor.
You can also fall victim to having your content reposted on external websites, but you have avenues you can take to get the videos removed.
That being said, you may attract some perverts or people that think you’re easy. Remember this tips.
- You can report users online or in the app.
- Never do anything you’re not comfortable with.
- Always carry yourself with respect and respect others.
Youtube vlogger Payton B says, “Be careful with what you post. If you post uncensored, if you post nude, be mindful that anybody can take your content and repost it.”
She says she made more than $20,000 her first month on OnlyFans. She did it by promoting herself on SnapChat and Twitter. “I made a lot of money,” she says on her Youtube video.
“I tell people right away that there’s no nudity on my OnlyFans, but I do make it look good. You have to have that sex appeal, you have them say, ‘What am I spending my money for?”
Photo credit: Youtube.com / Payton B How To Make Money With OnlyFans
OnlyFans is popular because it has several streams of revenue built into the platform.
You can make money on OnlyFans the following ways:
- Subscriptions
- Pay-per-view messages
- DMs
- Tips
OnlyFans has an internal messaging system, so you have a built-in email list that you can sell to exclusively.
Youtube personality Yeahnoe says that she created a “burner” Twitter account to promote her anonymous OnlyFans account to make money.
Photo credit: Youtube.com/Yeahnoe “I only reached 70 followers on the account, so honestly don’t worry about who’s following you. Who’s clicking that link is what matters. My subscription was $5.99 a month,” she says.
“Please don’t feel like you need to have all these subscribers … for small anonymous accounts, making money through those tips, through those posts and being active [is key].”
OnlyFans content creator Mella Barbie says that “You don’t really have to sell your actual self, like sexual s— that you’re not comfortable selling, like me, I really just do like mad trick videos and I do post my boobs because my boobs are cute and I’m confident in things like that.”
She says she’ll also do twerking videos and pictures. But not everyone is a sex worker. It’s all up to you!
Final Words
ONlyFans is one of those sites that you need to be consistent with if you’re going to really make some money.
“Make sure you know your boundaries, know your limits,” Payton B says.
Once you find a niche that works for you, it works best if you expand the content expeditiously, so that you can grow an audience. Once you get an audience, you have a better chance of making money.
If you have an OnlyFans that works, let us know in the comments.
If you’re interested in making extra income, don’t miss How To Make Money At Home and How To Quarantine And Make Cash.
Interested in other ways to save or make money? Check out our Money Section:
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Greenwood Bank, the digital banking platform targeting black and Latino users, recently announced the hire of Dylani Herath, as Vice President of Engineering.
The news comes as the the digital banking platform once again pushed back its launch date.
What is Greenwood Bank?
Greenwood is an online bank that allows customers to control their money via app or website. The bank, which is geared toward black and Latinx customers, describes itself as “modern banking for the culture.”
For those that don’t know, the name “Greenwood” is derived from the historic free district in Tulsa, Oklahoma known for its thriving businesses owned by black Americans. The area was so prosperous it became known as “Black Wall Street.”
Greenwood was destroyed in a 1921 race massacre spurred by false reports in the newspaper.
When Will Greenback Bank Launch?
Greenwood Bank was supposed to launch in early 2021, but the new company has experienced some growing pains. With Herath responsible for scaling the banking platform, Greenwood aims to have accounts ready for those who have signed up in late 2021.
Greenwood Bank is expecting to be ready for general public’s access in early 2022.
Herath will be over key component’s of the bank’s operations, including the platform’s security, growth, and product pipeline. She will also be responsible for bringing Greenwood’s online banking services to market.
The bank also announced that it has raised another $40 million in Series A funding from six of the seven largest banks in the United States. Those banking institutions include:
- Truist
- Bank of America
- PNC
- JPMorgan Chase
- Wells Fargo
- Mastercard
- Visa
Greenwood Bank Raises $40 Million As Big U.S. Banks Seek Role
The group of entrepreneurs that has launched Greenwood describe it as a new banking initiative targeting the underbanked, especially African-Americans and people of color. This article is going to tell you everything you need to know about Greenwood and its website BankGreenwood.com.
While many of the details have yet to be disclosed or worked out, what has been announced by Greenwood is enough to raise particular interest among the disenfranchised.
America’s poor neighborhoods and impoverished cities are among the most under- and un-banked across the country. So, a startup like Greenwood, which specifically targets them, is an idea long in the making.
Greenwood Bank is riding a lot of momentum. It recently announced MasterCard debit cards. Let’s look at some of the things we know about Greenwood Bank and what it will offer.
What Will Greenwood Bank Offer?
Like other online banks, you can expect Greenwood Bank to offer contact-free financial amenities such as:
- Checking accounts
- Savings accounts
- Mobile deposits
- Bank Transfers
- Paycheck Advances
Greenwood Bank will also offer digital payment methods through Apple and Google Pay services. Customers will also be able to withdraw and deposit cash at a network of ATMs around the country.
“We plan on creating, between the summer of this year and the end of 2022, a whole suite of financial services, utilizing all of our partners to provide a robust mosaic of banking services for our community — a one-stop shop, if you will,” co-founder Ryan Glover told BankingDrive.com.
Who Are The Founders Of Greenwood Bank?
The proprietors behind Greenwood Bank include a who’s who of prominent entrepreneurs in Atlanta and other areas. They include:
Andrew Young: Greenwood Co-Founder and Board Member
Andrew Young is a popular elder statesman of the civil rights movement who has a long history of fighting for equality. Young is a former mayor of Atlanta as well as U.S. Ambassador.
Michael ‘Killer Mike’ Render: Greenwood Co-Founder
Rapper and businessman Killer Mike has become a major proponent of economic empowerment in the black community. Along his accomplishments include his efforts to talk up land ownership, homeownership, a thriving barbershop business and revival of Atlanta’s storied Bankhead Seafood.
Ryan Glover: Greenwood Founder and Chairman
Ryan Glover, the founder of Bounce TV, is also a Greenwood founder. The Atlanta TV executive created the nation’s first majority black-owned streaming service and has a strong background in media and tech.
What Is The Greenwood Give Back Program?
Greenwood Bank has also launched the Greenwood Give Back program, which provides:
- five meals to a needy family when you open an account.
- Every month a $10,000 gift to a Black or Latinx business
- Support for HBCUs, the NAACP or anti-hunger initiative with Goodr by rounding up loose change from all in-store or online purchases you make with Greenwood Bank.
Final Words
While it’s clear that Greenwood Bank won’t have physical branches when it launches, the goal of the proprietors is to eventually have at least some brick-and-mortar locations. But that remains to be seen.
Saving money has historically been a pain point for lower-income Americans and specifically, people of color. Here are three easy ways to make your finances work.
- Avoid Bank Fees: Lower-income customers pay the highest fees. Here’s how to avoid them.
- Put Down the Debit Card: Identity thieves disproportionately target debit cards. Here’s why credit cards are better for you.
- Lower Your Phone Bill: You’re likely paying too much for your data plan. Here’s how to cut it in half.
With so many initial signups, they may decide that Greenwood Bank may be best operated as a digital bank.
If you’re interested in saving money or making money, here are some other options to consider.
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Do you ever wonder where your money is going? It seems like every month, expenses eat away at our budget. But the truth is that Americans today are paying for things that simply didn’t exist a short time ago.
Of course, we need the lights on and utilities to work, and even the car note. But it’s those “other” bills that seem to be sapping our paychecks. Where did they come from?
These Expenses Didn’t Exist 20 Years Ago
Let’s look at some of the bills that have popped up out of thin air in the last 20 years.
1. Baggage Fees
In 2008, American Airlines introduced a $30 fee for your first checked bag. That set off a chain reaction among the airline industry and baggage fees that has been with us ever since. Not only that, but snacks, pillows and the like were free years ago — but not anymore.
2. Your Streaming Bill
Related to your data plan is your streaming bill. Back in the day, Netflix used to mail you DVDs. Now, the streaming service — and a host of others — are selling subscriptions for anywhere from $5.99 to $50 a month.
For context, you may be trading your cable or satellite bill for two or three streaming services, but as we’re about to see, those subscriptions extend far beyond TV…
3. Music Subscriptions
Sad to say, it costs money to listen to good music now. Of course, you could tune in to the radio all day, but to get the highly curated audio experience we’ve all come to know and love comes with a price tag. Your monthly Spotify or Apple Music account costs you anywhere from $4.99 to $9.99.
4. Coffee
Yes, having a morning coffee has been a ritual for years and years, but with the rise of Starbucks and other artisan coffee establishments, a freshly brewed cup has become a recurring bill for many of us.
According to an Acorn Money Matters report, the average American spends approximately $1,100 annually ($3 each day) on coffee. No wonder Starbucks is reported to make $61 million a day.
5. Ridesharing
Ridesharing has become a common expense for people in big cities, especially millennials who want to bar hop or avoid parking fees downtown. But Americans who use Uber and Lyft spend $22 on an average trip, according to one report. If you rideshare twice times a week, we’re talking more than $240 a month.
of course, that money could be offset by the amount you save on a new car note or taxicab, but the fact remains, ridesharing is an expense we didn’t have years ago.
6. Bottled Water
It’s true people have been drinking bottled water for a long time, but its status at the top of the food chain has only taken hold in recent years.
In 2017, the Beverage Marketing Corp., an industry consulting firm, announced that bottled water had overtaken milk and beer to become America’s favorite beverage. And as more people swear off tap water, many opt to exclusively drink bottled water.That means that each year, U.S. consumers spend an average of $100 per person on bottled water. Add other members of the household and this figure goes way up.
Takeaway
So what’s the point in listing these recurring expenses? It’s so you can see that you may be able to save some of your hard-earned money if you took steps now to invest what you spend on some of these items. Need help? The first thing you need to do is create a budget.
Need some help? You can save money with these tips.
Know of any other expenses that have arisen in the last 15 years? Let us know in the comments!
Interested in other ways to save or make money? Check out our Money Section:
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