Striving to end 2025 in the black For all of 2024 I published my side hustle income report each month to maintain accountability. This year, my main goal is to be profitable. To maintain transparency with this goal, I’ll be reporting on both income and expenses this year. I haven’t been profitable for quite some time. My day job has been subsidizing my side hustles. My goal this year is to stop that cycle. Working […]

  It’s easy to think of Cash App as just a money transfer tool, but you can actually use it to save and earn extra cash. With features like cashback boosts, referral rewards, Bitcoin earnings, and investment options, you have multiple ways to make the most of your transactions. Whether you’re looking to cut expenses or generate income, Cash App offers simple strategies to help you achieve both. By using the right features effectively, you […]

I’ve always liked the idea of following your dreams. Ya know the saying, from Harvey Mackay that was “find something you love to do and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” If we found a job or career we were passionate about, it wouldn’t feel like work. However, we often find ourselves in the traditional 9-to-5 grind that may not be filling our passion, and is just our way to make […]

I remember the first time I filed my taxes. I was dropping something off at the post office when I saw tables full of cardboard boxes filled with forms with the now-familiar IRS eagle and scales logo. Tax season! Those boxes were so intimidating. I was so scared of filing my taxes wrong and getting audited. Fortunately, a friend of mine told me that I didn’t need those forms. There was software for that now and the software was really good. I used TurboTax for many years before transitioning to an accountant when my business required it. Looking back, the software was amazing, even back then! Can you imagine doing your taxes on one of these forms? All those boxes. All those complicated formulas. It’s amazing anyone gets it right. I bet accountants were furious when software came out. The average cost of preparing a tax return is $263 – $368. Nowadays, software is even more impressive. They walk you through the process with real questions a human being would ask and then fill out the boxes for you. Then they compare the boxes for potential errors and ask you more questions. It’s truly amazing and totally worth the price. That’s the beauty of software! ✨ Related: Do You Need to File a Tax Return? What makes it even better is that if you qualify, you can get all the awesomeness of the software without paying a penny. Why do companies offer this? They want to get your loyalty as quickly as possible, so they offer free tax preparation now in the hopes you will continue with them when you are no longer eligible for the free product. It’s also because it costs them very little to give this service (marginal cost) so it’s a good investment on their part. Table of ContentsIRS Free FileTurboTax Free EditionCash App TaxesH&R BlockTaxSlayerFreeTaxUSAVolunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)2025 Discounted Tax Preparation Options 🔃Updated January 2025 with the latest providers in the IRS Free File program for 2025 – they increased the income limit to $84,000. This is a $5,000 increase from last year. We will also update the criteria for using their free filing services. We added a table to help you quickly scan who qualifies. We also updated the terms of the other free filing options for 2025. Note: If you rented your home out for 14 or fewer days, you can exclude that rental income from your tax return because of the Augusta Rule. So if you would otherwise have a very simple tax situation, except for rental income of 14 or fewer days, you could still use the free editions. IRS Free File The IRS has a Free File program that lets you use well-known free tax preparation software from brands you recognize, like TaxACT, TaxSlayer, FreeTaxUSA, and many more. Not every program is available to every income level, and there are other conditions, but this is the definitive resource for finding the right provider for you. There are eight providers for

Image Source: 123rf.com Are you a young adult looking to make additional income? Creating additional income doesn’t have to mean finding a higher-paying job or taking on a lot of additional work. Here are 12 passive income ideas for young adults. 1. Create and Sell Digital Products If you have a skill that can be monetized, consider creating and selling digital products like a course or downloadable material. While this requires work upfront, your digital […]

                         The month of January 2025 is another month of dividend income landing in my accounts.  Due to becoming debt free, I changed my pay myself model. Starting the beginning of August 2021, I am paying myself 30%, just like before. This will now consist of 24% to investing, and 6% to savings.  The investment portion is going to my TFSA. Any money left […]

Consider MYGAs instead of CDs MYGAs are good annuities.  Good annuities also include SPIAs and QLACs. They all have similarities, but first, you must buy them rather than being upsold for a product with a higher commission. Good annuities are […]

  There are many side hustles for women that can help you earn money while doing something you love. Whether you’re interested in freelancing, starting a small business, or using your skills in a new way, these opportunities can provide the flexibility and income you’re looking for. With so many options available, now is the…