Money - Softonic English

Best apps to make money

These are the best apps to help you make money using your mobile phone

This age of the app that we find ourselves living in is filled with wonder and promise. Apps can do help us do anything from traveling to the places we’ve always dreamt of, losing weight and living a healthy lifestyle, connect with our friends, work from home, and talk with friends and relatives all over the world for free. What’s even more impressive is that the apps we download on our phone can even help us make some extra money. Yep, apps on your phone can help you pay the bills.

You might not believe this but there are, in fact, lots of different money-making apps. There are apps that will save you cash on your shopping, pay you to fill out surveys, help you invest your cash, and even pay you to walk more. Let’s go through them now. The best apps to help you make money online.

How to make money with apps

Sweatcoin

We’re starting today’s list with what just might be the most interesting free app we’ve ever featured. Billed as a new type of crypto coin, you can generate your own coins by getting outside and being more active. The way it works is you download the Sweatcoin app, which then tracks all the steps you take during the day. For every 1,000 steps you take in the real world, you will generate 0.95 Sweatcoins. You can then use these Sweatcoins, just like real money, to buy things online.

Sweatcoin is available for iOS iPhones and Android smartphones but don’t think this is going to be a get rich quick scheme. Essentially, this is money for free but its more of a passive balance that keeps building up in the background rather than something that will help you pay off your mortgage. You’re looking at paying around 20,000 Sweatcoins for most items, which means at 10,000 steps a day you’re looking at more than five years to be able to buy something with your steps.

Sweatcoin Download Sweatcoin Now

Google Opinion Rewards

There are two ways you can look at this paid survey app from Google. One is to worry about the very direct manner that Google is trying to harvest the data off you that it can’t elsewhere. Yes, Google knows a lot about you and is basically trying to learn everything it doesn’t already know. If you want to know how to block Google doing so, read this guide to delete everything Google knows about you. It works with Apple and Android phones alike to, which is great for all you Apple fanboys out there.

If you’re happy for Google to know about you and, in fact, would rather like to make some extra cash out of it all, then the Google Opinion Rewards app is for you. Google is willing to pay you between 10 cents and a dollar in Google Play Store credit to fill out various surveys on all sorts of diverse subjects. These surveys don’t take long to fill out so you can do them anywhere from waiting in line at the bank to taking the bus to work.

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Ibotta

This cool little mobile app makes it possible for you to recoup some of the money you’ve spent on your groceries. You can even treat a bit like a game. Ibotta works with both iOS iPhones and iPads and Android smartphones and tablets.

Ibotta works with PayPal and put actual cash money into your account within 48 hours of activating your rebates. All you have to do to get your money is search for all your groceries in the app and then find any available coupons or rebates linked to the products. After that, you simply scan your barcode and then wait for the cash rewards to land in your PayPal account.

Ibotta Download now

Shopkick

Shopkick is a very interesting voucher indeed. It’s interesting because Android and iPhone users who have it don’t even need to buy anything to make money. The app has eight different money-making activities that users can do to boost their balance and some of these don’t require making any purchases at all. With Shopkick you can earn money just by walking into a shop or by simply scanning the barcodes of certain items and not even buying them. There are, of course, bigger payouts available for making actual purchases but it is good to know you can earn money for nothing with this one. The only catch with Shopkick though is that your earning gift cards for the likes of Amazon rather than actual cashback.

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Acorns

The final app in our best apps to help you make money is Acorns, which is trying to help you build up your investment portfolio and boost your personal finance credentials. Acorns works by taking your spare change and investing it into diversified funds that are spread across thousands of different stocks and bonds. As well as the spare change option, Acorns also has a recurring investment platform, which will automatically invest a set amount each month. Out of all the apps featured today, Acorns is the most likely to make you decent money.

Acorns is available for both iOS and Android phones. To use the spare change option you need to link your bank account to the app and then every time you make a purchase, Acorns will round up the amount to the nearest dollar, and then take the difference and invest it into the Acorns funds. This might just be the easiest way to set yourself up with an investment portfolio.

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Wrapping up

We’ve walked you through five of the best money making apps out there. The likes of Sweatcoin could work nicely if used in conjunction with Shopkick. as a way to boost your earnings in your free time by performing simple tasks. You earn credits as you walk to different shops and then also earn credits performing certain Shopkick actions. As you’d expect though, these free money apps aren’t going to start easing the financial strain of modern life but if used properly could see you getting yourself free stuff.

Best side hustle apps for earning some extra cash

What side hustles are out there other than Uber and Lyft?

People have long embraced the side hustle as a way to earn some extra cash in between jobs or shifts. In the past, that might have been babysitting or dog walking.

These days, there’s an app for that. And by that, we mean everything. There are a lot more options out there than just Uber. It doesn’t matter if your skills lean toward web design or manual labor, someone will pay you.

If you’re looking to earn a little bit of cash to heal your wallet post-holiday season, here is a roundup of a few apps that can help you do just that:

Best side hustle apps for earning some extra cash

Handy

At a glance, Handy appears to be one of the more lucrative gig economy apps.

This app provides a solid side gig for professional cleaners and handymen/women. The app claims that you can earn between $22 and $45 per hour, depending on the job. You also get to decide when you’re available.

We should mention that not everyone can sign up. You must have paid experience in cleaning or performing handyman tasks. Still, if you’ve done this type of work in the past and want to earn some cash on the weekend, this could be a good way.

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Postmates

Postmates drivers deliver food and other supplies to nearby customers. They can earn up to $25 an hour at their convenience. The only requirement is that you make at least one delivery per every 90 days and that you use your own vehicle.

That said, it’s not necessarily a steady income. You might be able to hit that $25/hr threshold. However, the average reported salary is $10/hr, per Glassdoor. Additionally, all of that driving around will cause wear and tear on your car.

We don’t recommend driving for Postmates full-time, but this gig’s flexibility makes it a good choice for people who want to earn some money during their downtime.

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Instacart

Instacart is ideal for those who love shopping for groceries. Sign up through the app to become a driver, shopper, or both. This app sends out assignments and will send you notifications about where you’ll be shopping that day.

Shoppers earn between $10 and $20 per hour and must have their own car. You’ll pay for the groceries through a prepaid Instacart card, then drive them to someone’s house.

Be prepared for a few challenges. In some cases, shoppers must carry heavy bags from down the street if there’s nowhere to park. Other times, you might get sent all over the place — spending more time driving than shopping. This side hustle might work for you, but be prepared to possibly walk bags upon bags of groceries up a flight of stairs.

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Amazon Flex

Amazon Flex allows you to block off time in your schedule to deliver Amazon packages to customers. You can reportedly earn between $18 and $25 per hour.

As far as earnings go, Amazon’s civilian package delivery service presents some decent side cash. However, it’s not always easy. This Atlantic writer detailed their experience delivering packages in San Francisco and noted that it was a struggle to make deliveries on time and avoid getting a ticket.

City dwellers could find Amazon Flex a bit more trouble than its worth, but those in smaller cities with ample parking might have an easier time. Keep in mind, like other gig economy driving services, you’ll want to weigh auto expenses against earnings to see if the work is worth it.

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Dolly

Dolly is an app that allows those with some muscle to earn up to $15 an hour as a mover. Those with a truck or van of their own can make up to $30 an hour.

Dolly allows you to turn on notifications and accept the gigs that work with your schedule. The few “helper” reviews we’ve found online have mostly good things to say about the gig. A couple of people mentioned that there’s a lot of work available in cities where people frequently move around.

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Rover.com

Rover is a dog walking service that provides dog owners with on-demand walking, boarding, and daycare. While you’ll need to pass a background check to sign up, Rover could be a good choice for those who already work from home. Supplement your income by hanging out with a rotating cast of furry friends. It doesn’t get better than that, right?

That said, it seems that you need to be prepared to send pet owners updates throughout the day. Also, be prepared for a steady amount of dog doo.

Still, the site guarantees that up to $1,000 worth of work is protected each month, and you’ll have access to 24/7 support.

Behance

Behance is a gig website for freelance designers, photographers, and other visual arts pros. The site allows you to show off past work to prospective clients, lock down gigs, and find some inspiration.

While it can be difficult to get views on your work, it will be subject to professional review. At the very least, you’ll get feedback for your work.

Starting a side business on your own is one of those ideas better in theory than practice. Apps provide a convenient way to sidestep the funding and marketing part of the equation and let you get right down to business.

Wrapping Up

That said, we don’t entirely recommend using these apps if you’re looking for something more substantial. Instacart recently changed their policy, and it has impacted shopper take-home pay significantly.

If you’re looking into gig work as a freelancer — you may be better off looking for direct clients or applying for remote contract work.

In any case, if you’ve got some skills, dust em off once in a while, and maybe you can pocket some cash.

How to save money with Ibotta

Hopefully, this article can help give Ibotta some of the attention it deserves.

Gen X had Pong, while Millenials have Halo, Uncharted, and now Fortnite! Once there was The Brick (yeah, we know what that is) and dial-up telephones, now we have powerful cell phones with relatively godlike internet capabilities in our pockets.

There once were coupons…now there’s Ibotta.

Ibotta is the natural, digitized step up from coupons and coupon books: by partnering with hundreds of stores both physical and online, it’s able to give buyers considerable savings in a user-friendly way! For older users, it’ll be an upgrade. For younger users, it’ll be a fresh experince with savings.

And if you still don’t believe us, check the all-knowing reviews on the Apple store: 5 stars from over 600k responses! That’s a TON!

How to save money with Ibotta!

Getting the App

We have the app in our Softonic catalog. Click here to download Ibotta.

Ibotta Download Free ►

Making Your Account

There are two options: email and Facebook.

You don’t even need to enter your bank information at this time, so that’s really all there is to it! Once that’s finished, you’ll find yourself in:

The App

Welcome to the Ibotta app! Everything happens here.

We recommend poking around and exploring the offers available. At the top, you’ll find links to online retailers, where you can engage in some realtime Ibotta refunds. Below that, there will be specific deals for products (like the bananas) and finally, if you scroll further down, you’ll discover seller categories, deals of the week, events, and more!

Honestly, we were a little intimidated at first. The Ibotta system looks and feels a lot like a shopping app, but don’t worry: while some of these buttons will link you to other places (after asking for your permission), you can press whatever you like and add whatever coupons necessary without expecting a penalty. It’s safe, so have a good time with it!

Saving Money

The important stuff! There are three ways to save:

Sending a receipt: when you find a deal you want to use, save it for later. After buying the product, simply scan your receipt! This may feel a lot like using coupons, with a few notable benefits: rather than dragging out tons of papers at the cash register, you can save your deals beforehand and apply them by scanning your receipt in a second.
Link a loyalty card: this works like your average loyalty card. You use the card with supported retailers, and get the Ibotta discount through the app.
Mobile App Purchases: Ibotta offers links to many supported retailers. When you select their icon, you’ll be greeted by a few categories to choose from. Once you’ve decided upon one, you can select “Shop” to open the shopping app within your Ibotta session:

In this case, you can then shop on Amazon’s services with the expectation of a discount!

How does this Work? Why does this work?

It’s only natural to pose the question: who’s losing out here? And while it may be surprising, we believe Ibotta has created a clever win-win-win situation (which would account for the love it’s received through user reviews). Here’s how it works: retailers that partner with Ibotta win thanks to the increased traffic in their stores and on their websites. Ibotta wins through partner contracts. Finally, shoppers win when, at the end of the month, they get money back from expenses paid and discounts used!

Conclusion

Ibotta works as well as the reviews suggest, give the app a try if you haven’t already!

How to trade cryptocurrencies on Binance Exchange

Become a master of cryptocurrency with Binance Exchange!

Our team is always looking for things we think our readers will value. If we make a content partnership like the one featured in this article, then we may receive compensation for publishing.

After a year-long downturn, cryptocurrencies are having a resurgent 2019, increasing in popularity, usability, and value.

As CoinDesk reported in early June, Bitcoin’s 2019 increases are predicated on actual transaction growth, and, collectively, cryptocurrencies surged nearly 150% this year as institutional and individual investors come together to push their prices higher.

In 2019, the crypto rally is outperforming many traditional investment vehicles, including stocks, bonds, gold, and oil.

In many ways, it’s representative of crypto’s first decade, offering both volatility and high rewards for willing investors.

The renewed interest in cryptocurrencies is bringing a surge of new users to prominent crypto exchanges like Binance, which boasts the biggest crypto exchange activity by volume, and it’s one that offers more than a hundred digital currencies on its platform.

Comprised of an incubation lab, research programs, charity projects, and its popular cryptocurrency exchange, Binance is helping lead the charge for higher levels of crypto adoption.

That’s becoming increasingly apparent this year.

In a May 22nd tweet, Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao, CZ, noted the exchange’s increased trading volumes, explaining, “We are seeing much higher order volumes (number of orders) than Dec 2017/Janu 2018 (the peak).”

We are seeing much higher order volumes (number of orders) than Dec 2017/Jan 2018 (the peak).
Trade (not order) volume in USD is 1/3 of the peak, but BTC price is 1/3 and ETH price is only 1/5 of the last peak, most other main alt prices are even lower. https://t.co/e9M20gqnm0
— CZ Binance (@cz_binance) May 22, 2019

Consequently, now is the time to take a look at Binance and to understand the functionality that makes it so popular.

Understanding Binance exchange

Initially founded by CZ in Hong Kong in 2017, Binance has quickly become one of the most lauded and well-recognized exchanges by crypto community members.

Binance is known for its competitive rates and expansive token offerings, and it’s often the go-to platform for both new and experienced crypto traders alike.

The exchange charges a flat fee of 0.1%, and users receive a discount when they use Binance’s native BNB token to make purchases on the exchange. Originally, the BNB token was an ERC-20 token hosted on Ethereum. However, with the launch of Binance Chain, the token is available and exchangeable directly with the platform.

Crypto traders can engage with several markets including BNB, BTC, ETH, and Stablecoins, which are presented in an aesthetically-appealing and easy-to-understand format.

In July, Binance introduced margin trading, a risky trading strategy that allows users to invest borrowed funds in crypto assets. Before users can engage in these trades, Binance provides a risk reminder, ensuring that investors are well-versed in this functionality before participating.

How to use Binance

Binance is defined by a combination of simplicity, and the startup process is incredibly simple and secure. It’s one reason that the amateur and experienced traders prioritize it over other exchanges.

Step #1: Create an account

Binance requires users to create an account, and it offers different verification levels with corresponding features for each level.

For example, level 1 does not require account verification, but it limits withdraws to 2 BTC a day. For users looking for higher withdraw levels, they can complete a level 2 verification, which includes an uploaded photo ID that is approved by the platform. Level 2 users can withdraw as many as 100 BTC per day.

Users will need to schedule a verification meeting, so anyone looking for immediate level 2 access will need to plan ahead when creating an account.

With an emphasis on security, Binance encourages users to enable two-factor authentication to protect their digital assets.

Step #2: Deposit / Buy

After creating an account, users can transfer cryptocurrencies into their accounts.

To fund an account, click “Funds” > “Deposits / Withdraws” > “Deposit.” After choosing “Deposit,” users are provided with a Binance wallet address where they send the tokens.

Once funds are deposited, users can begin trading on Binance, although some tokens take longer than others to settle.

For those looking to purchase crypto assets with a credit card, Binance announced a partnership with Simplex that allows users to do just that.

Step #3: Trade

Once an account is funded, Binance users can immediately begin trading. The platform offers a basic and advanced trading screen. First time traders will benefit from the ease-of-use of the basic format while more experienced investors will find value in the more meticulous metrics provided in the advanced screen.

Choose a trading pair by selecting digital tokens on the right side of the screen. Clicking on a digital token provides charts and metrics on the left side of the screen. When you’re ready to place an order, you can choose between timing the market with a “Limit” order, order buying immediately via a Market order. When you choose one of the options, click on the “Buy” or “Sell” buttons at the bottom of the screen to execute a trade.

Users can choose to buy a unique portion of a token, to spend a specific amount on a token, or they can allocate a percentage of their buying power to buy a token.

Conclusion

As cryptocurrencies continue to grow in popularity and value, new users are presented with a deluge of exchange options that can often be as complicated as the platforms themselves.

In contrast, Binance offers a simple value proposition as it combines powerful investing tools with a secure interface that can allow anyone to participate in this burgeoning ecosystem. By balancing this dichotomy, Binance stands out as a platform that isn’t just indelibly popular but as one that is undoubtedly capable of bringing crypto to the masses.

The Facebook groups where people ask for money

Blessing groups help Facebook users in need ask for financial aid, but are they safe?

It was only a matter of time. Facebook Messenger now makes it easy to send and receive money for free.

A recent piece from The Atlantic brought attention to a new trend on Facebook: asking for money in groups known as “blessings groups.”

While initially, we expected something akin to random Venmo requests, these Facebook groups appear to be a lifeline for needy users. They are also a way for good samaritans to give directly to those in need — in this case, mostly low-income moms who need some help getting by.

Here’s a look at what we learned about this social lifeline:

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What are blessings groups and who is using them?

The concept is simple, blessings groups are similar to crowdfunding sites but less formal. Posters often request small amounts to cover basic living costs like gas money to get to work or a few extra dollars for food until that next paycheck comes in.

The key difference between blessings groups and a site like GoFundMe is that the latter is used for large expenses like medical bills, charity runs, or launching a new business. The groups offer smaller amounts and many cap funding at $500 per post.

Most groups have names like App Blessings or Give Me Some $$$. Yeah, they get straight to the point.

How it works is like this: people share how much they need, along with some logistical details like preferred method of payment, photos, and some sort of assurance that they’re a “real person” not some kind of a scammer.

From there, the community can respond by asking questions about the request in the comments section. Often, funders upload receipts as a way to add some transparency to the process.

Helping the homeless with apps — which techie solutions are actually worth checking out?

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Are these Facebook Groups regulated?

The bulk of the Facebook blessings groups we found were closed groups, operating according to a similar set of rules.

No promotional content or live-selling
No hate speech or violence
You need to have a profile picture that shows your face
No referral links to sites like GoFundMe

So, while there are no formal regulations in place, the platform seems to focus on enforcing some basic guidelines. People must be respectful and transparent about why they need the money, how much they’ve received, and so on.

What’s worth pointing out is that this is one of the few places, short of walking up to a person on the street where you can donate directly to an individual case.

Additionally, crowdfunding on Facebook is less polished than the GoFundMe and IndieGoGo campaigns where success often hinges on marketing savvy and attractiveness.

Another thing worth mentioning is that Facebook does offer some guidance for personal and non-profit fundraising. However, it’s unclear whether this approach is included in the rules.

Which is the best crowdfunding site?

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Facebook crowdfunding offers an alternative

If you look at GoFundMe’s FAQ page, it does look like users do have the option to raise money for themselves and the site doesn’t take a cut. However, funds may take a few days to go through. According to the site, it could be up to five business days.

The other thing to consider is that a GoFundMe page might receive more criticism from their community than they would request money in this less formal setting.

Facebook payments are also sent through Messenger, Cash, PayPal, or Venmo, so people get paid immediately. This is huge, as The Atlantic notes, users seek help on these platforms because they need to pay their gas bill that day or feed their kids.

One group, Give Me Some $$$ (strangers helping strangers and paying it forward), allows people to sign up for VIP membership. It’s a $10 fee, which goes toward supporting the neediest users.

How to create a fundraiser on Facebook

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Bottom line: Facebook fundraising might be the new safety net

While there’s no guarantee that your donations aren’t going to someone lying about their situation for extra cash, Facebook users seem to do a pretty good job sussing out a scammer.

And, what’s more, like traditional crowdfunding, not everyone in need receives funding. That could be due to their conduct online or a case that’s less than glamorous.

WhatsApp Pay coming later this year: Finally, we have an official announcement

WhatsApp will roll-out its new payment service in India by the end of this year.

If you’re interested in WhatsApp’s long =-awaited payment and cash transfer service, you’ll know that we’ve been following this story for a long time. From when it first arrived on the beta version of WhatsApp back in the summer of 2017 to the news last week that WhatsApp was almost ready to submit its report to the financial ombudsman in India, we’ve been keeping a very close eye on this one for a very long time. Well, finally we have some official news for you rather than hearsay, rumors, and anonymous comments.

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WhatsApp will roll-out its new payment service in India by the end of this year

At an event in New Delhi, WhatsApp’s global head, Will Cathcart announced that, “to boost digital inclusion in India, we can launch the (Pay) service across the country later this year after meeting regulations.” The long road is finally coming to an end as WhatsApp Pay looks to have been approved for operation by the Reserve Bank of India.

Take an early look at WhatsApp’s brand-new dark mode

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After much delay then, WhatsApp Pay is finally ready to roll-out to India’s 400 million WhatsApp users. The plans for WhatsApp Pay go beyond India, however, with Reuters reporting Mark Zuckerberg as saying in a recent Facebook earnings conference call, “It’s a regulatory approval question in India at this point… We’re also working beyond India in a number of other countries and hope to have this rolled out to a large percent of the people who use WhatsApp within the next year.” It looks like WhatsApp Pay won’t only be confined to Indian WhatsApp users.

This one has been a long time brewing then, but it is clear that even though WhatsApp Pay is finally about to launch in India, there are still a lot of future developments to come with as Facebook seems to have some very grand plans for it. As soon as we learn more about a concrete launch date for WhatsApp’s latest service or about the other countries that can expect to see it, we’ll let you know. Make sure you stick with us for all the latest news and rumors about WhatsApp.

13 best tricks for WhatsApp

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WhatsApp Payments could be launching very soon

WhatsApp Payments is now closer to a general release in India

The WhatsApp Payments system that will give users a quick, secure, and easy way to send money across the network has been “coming soon” for quite some time now. We first broke the story of the feature landing in the WhatsApp beta in 2017, but news of the feature then went quiet for almost 12 months. It wasn’t until May last year that we heard the feature was finally going to roll out to all WhatsApp users. Again though, we were met with nothing but radio silence on the issue and that has pretty much where we’ve been up to, until now.

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WhatsApp Payments is now closer to a general release in India

A new report from Bloomberg says that Facebook is making slow progress towards launching WhatsApp Payments in India, but is about to reach a huge milestone.

According to the report, the long delay has been partly due to government regulations. WhatsApp needs to produce the results of an independent third-party audit that will show that all of the payments data involved in the new feature will be stored in India.

According to an anonymous source, WhatsApp is now preparing to submit this report to the Reserve Bank of India, which is India’s banking regulator. If the report receives approval, then WhatsApp Payments could finally be good to go.

Whatsapp payment diagram — WhatsApp hopes to provide a secure way to send money between users.

The bureaucracy involved in setting up new financial services has caused the huge delays to the Facebook operation. There could be a lesson to learn for the social giant here as it pushes forward with the development of its own cryptocurrency called Libra.

The practical side of WhatsApp Payments has been wrapped up for quite some time now. Since last summer we’ve known that Payments will be backed by partnerships WhatsApp has made some of the leading banks in India including HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, and SBI.

The problem WhatsApp faces now, however, is that the long delay means WhatsApp Payments is moving into a crowded marketplace. Amazon Pay and India’s most popular digital payment platform, Paytm, have already complied with the Indian government’s regulations and so have a massive head start over the Facebook-owned messaging service.

WhatsApp will face stiff competition from other digital payment platforms like Amazon Pay

What WhatsApp does have up its sleeve though, is a massive user base in India that is estimated at over 300 million active users. As with most digital services users will go for the payments service they trust and that is the easiest to use. If WhatsApp can establish payments as a simple and secure digital payment option there is a chance it could take off.

Unfortunately, there is no official news regarding a date for the rollout of WhatsApp Payments. The feature seems to be about to pass a very large obstacle, however, that has stood in its way for quite some time so maybe we’ll see it sooner rather than later. We’ve been here before though, so best not to hold your breath on this one.

4 best free accounting programs

Want to do your own bookkeeping? These programs can make it happen!

Chances are the only thing you know about accounting has come from Ben Wyatt’s jokes from “Parks and Recreation.”

Well, those were painful to listen through. Anyway…

Basic accounting skills are very important in our adult lives. When tax season comes around, we need to know that we are getting what is rightfully owed to us on our returns. Basic accounting is also important when it comes to maintaining a budget.

3 apps to help you budget and track your spending

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If you didn’t take any accounting classes in high school or college (and even if you did) accounting can be very complicated. Luckily, there are plenty of free accounting programs that can help you along the way. Please note that even the best accounting program can be enhanced by your own basic accounting knowledge. It’s in your best interest to watch videos like the one below to teach you some basic accounting tools.

If you’re looking for a free tool to help you with your accounting needs, we found four of the best free accounting programs for you. They can help you send invoices, help with bookkeeping, and help around tax season.

5 best free accounting programs

Wave

The creators of Wave have the mindset that accounting should be a free service for individuals and small businesses. That’s why accounting, invoicing, and receipting don’t cost a dime!

However, there are premium features on Wave that you do have to pay to use. Conducting payroll, processing credit cards, and making transactions with the bank all cost money. That said, if you need a service that just helps you keep the books, Wave can help out!

Wave Accounting Download now ►

Standard Accounts BSA

Standard Accounts BSA is a one-stop shop for your basic accounting needs. You can easily create tables for accounts payable and accounts receivable. If you need to maintain a ledger, it’s wildly easy.

As we said before, basic accounting knowledge can help with most software, and Standard Accounts BSA is no exception. If you don’t know basic accounting, you won’t know how to fill out a ledger financial reports. Basically, before you start balancing your books, you need to hit the books.

Standard Accounts BSA Download Free ►

Free Invoice Maker

If you have a small business, you know just how much you need to create invoices. Free Invoice Maker makes it incredibly easy to make them to the point that even a child could do it.

Throw in all of the necessary information into the template to create an invoice quick and easy. Unfortunately, the program will not save your information for you, so you will have to enter a lot of the same information over and over again. There also isn’t much you can use to make a more custom, visually appealing invoice. However, for the low, low price of free, we can’t really complain.

Free Invoice Maker Download Free ►

Manager Free Accounting

If you are like most people, all of your financial papers are probably thrown into a bin you keep tucked away. Manager Free Accounting is essentially the same as if that bin was neatly organized on your desktop.

All of your financial information organized into a simple and efficient dashboard. Everything you need to access is just a click away. It has basic accounting functions and tools to help you balance the books, and manage your own personal finances. If you want to ditch the clutter, this app can help!

Manager Free Accounting Download Now ►

Wrapping up

If you’re looking to manage your own bookkeeping, these programs are sure to help. However, do not be afraid to consult a professional. Professionals like the people at H&R Block can help you save time and money in methods that might be unfamiliar to you.

H&R Block At Home Premium Download now ►

Facebook Libra: Social Giant signs massive deal with Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and more

Facebook’s crypto coin will receive more than $100 million from more than a dozen major backers.

Facebook is branching out from its core social media offering yet again. It has been rumored for a while that the big blue social network has been working on its very own cryptocurrency and Facebook made the plan official today. The launch of Facebook’s virtual currency will be unlike other cryptocurrencies as the company has reportedly signed deals with some of the world’s leading financial institutions, who’ll back Facebook’s new crypto-coin, Libra. You’ll keep your Libra in a digital wallet app called Calibra.

According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, Facebook’s crypto-coin will receive around $10 million worth of investment from each of more than a dozen major backers. Facebook plans to use the funds, which will total over $100 million, to assist in the development of the coin as well as the infrastructure needed to support it and the blockchain technology it will need.

Rumors around Facebook’s virtual coin had been swirling for months. The coin first hit the news in December and the BBC reported in May that Facebook is planning to launch the crypto-coin in the first quarter of 2020 and that at the time Zuckerberg and his company had already signed up at least 12 countries where Facebook users could use the cryptocurrency as a digital payment. It was also reported in May that Facebook had set up a financial services company in Switzerland.

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Why is Facebook making a crypto-coin?

Facebook wants to create an affordable and secure way for Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram users to make and send payments, even if they don’t have a bank account. With smartphones putting Facebook into the hands of billions of users around the world, who wouldn’t otherwise have access to a PC, more and more Facebook users don’t have access to things most of us take for granted. Making a card payment online is impossible to many and Facebook is working on a way to allow these users to buy things both on Facebook or through third-party partners, and send money to other users across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

Facebook wants to help you buy things online, even if you don’t have a bank account.

It isn’t just for users without bank accounts, however. Fintech companies that offer online banking services via apps, like Revolut, have been winning lots of customers recently, and it seems Facebook wants a part of the action. We all like it when apps make things easier and they’ve been making banking easier for some time now. With its new cryptocurrency, Facebook is trying to bring together the ease of use offered by these new types of banking apps and the security that comes with cryptocurrencies stored on the blockchain.

The fact that Facebook now has major backing for its new coin puts it in a very strong position. Cryptocurrencies are famous for being unstable in value but with major financial backers and a number of nations behind it, Facebook’s Libra has a very solid foundation indeed.

5 best online savings accounts

Are you looking to find a new online bank? We’ve got the best of the best for you!

Choosing a savings account might not be as fun as spending money on your next trip, a new computer, or a bunch of new clothes. However, picking the right one can net you some extra money in the bank — literally.

Not only that, but the right savings account also provides some protections that a basic checking account can’t give you.

Not all savings accounts are the same, and online versions often offer better features than their brick-and-mortar counterparts.

Things to look for in an online savings account

The best savings accounts offer easy access to funds, reliable customer service, and seamless online experience.

Beyond that, and perhaps more importantly, they should offer low monthly fees and higher-than-average interest rates. These help you grow your nest egg into something bigger.

Interest rates

Most of the options we’ll list below come with interest rates higher than 2%.

By contrast, Bank of America accounts only offer savers a 0.3% interest rate, meaning you likely won’t notice your savings growing beyond what you put into your account.

Easy withdrawals

What happens if you need quick access to funds? While the purpose of savings accounts is saving not spending, you’ll want to make sure that you can access your money in case of an emergency.

That said, don’t treat your savings account like a checking account. Federal regulations dictate that you can’t make more than six withdrawals in a month. If you do, your bank will charge you a fee.

Opening deposit

Some banks require an initial deposit. This amount varies considerably, but often it’s a smaller amount like $25 or $50. This isn’t a huge deal, as the whole point of opening a savings account is to, well, save some money.

In other cases, you’ll see higher minimum deposits, which may be a barrier to entry if you’re just starting to save money. Obviously, not all of us can front multiple thousands of dollars.

That said, many online banks offer access to low- or no-minimum accounts. Just make sure that you review any associated fees before you sign up.

5 best online savings accounts

1. HSBC

The global banking giant offers an online savings account that blows its traditional savings accounts out of the water.

The minimum opening deposit is $1, and from there; you’ll get started earning interest at a 2.30% APY. There’s no monthly fee, but the bank will charge you a $25 cancellation fee if you close the account within six months of opening.

What’s neat about HSBC is that it offers a budgeting tool to help you set goals and visualize your financial progress. You can also deposit checks electronically through the mobile app. Howeverm some users have reported that mobile functionality is a bit clunky and could use some work.

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2. Ally

Ally is a bank that doesn’t have any branches, and consistently pays high-interest rates for savers; we’re talking 2.20%.

There’s no minimum balance requirement, and you can open a free checking account, too. The benefit of opening a checking account with Ally is, you’ll get 1% cash back on purchases and can connect your accounts. This makes it easy to transfer money into your savings account.

3. Citizens Access

Citizens Access is an online-only extension of East Coast brick-and-mortar Citizens Bank. Their online savings account provides one of the highest interest rates we’ve seen at a whopping 2.35% APY. You also won’t pay any account fees.

The catch is that there’s a $5,000 minimum deposit, which may be a bit steep for some consumers. It’s also important to note that if your balance drops below the $5,000 mark, the APY drops along with it.

Still, Citizens Access is one of the best options around. The website is easy to use and supports electronic deposits, and all deposits are FDIC-insured.

4. American Express (Amex)

American Express does more than just credit cards. They also offer a high-yield savings account with a 2.10% interest rate.

Heck, they’re even endorsed by the 1989 Cleveland Indians:

What’s more, this option is accessible to anyone. Unlike Citizen’s $5,000 entry deposit, Amex has no minimum deposit, no monthly fee, and FDIC-insured deposits up to $250,000.

That said, they do require that all account holders fund their account within 60 days of applying.

Overall, American Express offers a flexible savings account that gives you the ability to earn interest while still allowing you to access funds if needed.

Unfortunately, the account is not set up to support daily transactions. That means no mobile apps (AE only offers an app for credit card accounts), no checks, and deposits needed to be mailed, physically.

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5. Barclays

Barclays has a 300+ year history in the UK, though it has yet to make it big stateside. However, the bank’s online savings accounts come with competitive interest rates (2.20%APY), no monthly maintenance fees, and doesn’t require any minimum balance to open an account. Your deposits are FDIC insured up to the legal limit.

What’s more, you can quickly transfer money back and forth between your Barclays account and your checking account or other savings accounts with other banks. Barclays also supports electronic deposits through its mobile app.

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Wrapping up

Selecting the right savings account is a significant first step toward getting your finances on track, and a high-yield account is a long term investment. However, it can add up to thousands of extra bucks in interest down the road.