Ways to Financial Relief - Breaking Poor Money Habits

Breaking Poor Money Habits

When is the best time to start creating better money habits? The answer is easy… Right Now! Treat every day as the day that you could take control of your financial habits creating the conditions for financial relief. Most New Year's resolutions are done and over and forgotten by mid-February so the very first thing to do is act like each month is your new month to start (or continue) good habits. In the early days, set predetermined self-checks. Every week and every month, until your new habits become routine. And don't try to correct everything at once. Break one habit at a time and layer in new habits as you go over time.

So, what are the most common poor money habits? Sometimes it's not what you know but what you don't know that makes all the difference. Here are some of the most common poor money habits to break in 2023.

  1. Making only the minimum payment on your credit cards. Your credit card statement has a box that shows how long it will take you to pay off your credit card if you only pay the minimum. It also shows that if you pay just a little more how much faster it can be paid down and how much you can save. Even if you can't pay the higher amount, create a minimum plus amount that you can get comfortable with. Stick with it and create your new habit work up to larger payment amounts and lower credit card debit.
  2. Waiting to file your taxes. Get started prepping to prepare your taxes. Have you noticed that tax prep companies start advertising around Christmas and New Years. You should receive your W-2, 1099, and other tax forms by the end of January. Preparing early can eliminate mistakes and delays.
  3. Not paying attention to Subscriptions and Auto-pay Expenses. This is a great time to review your bank statement to find all of those subscription services and auto-pay expenses that you 'set and forget'. Get in the habit of reviewing this every 3-months. Are you really using all of those streaming music services? How many 'free trials' did you sign-up for but forgot to cancel? Have they raised their rates without you recognizing it? Prioritize what you consume the most and eliminate the others. Could you save $20 per mont? How about $50 per month or $100. That could be save you $240 - $1,200 per year.
  4. Not paying attention to your credit report. A lot of people fear looking at their credit score but if you don't then you are letting others dictate your financial health and future. Schedule a meeting with yourself to review your credit report, note things that you think are wrong then start reaching out to get those removed. It is fine to have your credit report reflex you but it is not OK to have it sabotaged by someone else.

2023 can be your year to make better financial habits. If you need a little kick-start or bridge, visit a friendly CashMax store near you. We love our clients and love meeting new customers.

  1. Get pre-approved for a cash advance up to $2,000 or title loan up to $2,250 over the phone from one of our knowledgeable associates.
  2. You can start the process of getting a cash advance or title loan online.
  3. CashMax has 37 convenient locations in Texas to serve you:

  3458 Hits

Ways to Financial Relief - Who Let the Dogs Out?

Who Let the Dogs Out

The next several months are big for travel. The next several months also require a little more cash on hand for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Holidays, and end of the year expenses. This sounds like a recipe for financial stress, not financial relief, but we're here to find opportunities amongst the chaos.

If you love pets, and especially dogs, then this could be the perfect time of year for you to cash in. Even when people are busy, their four-legged best friend still needs exercise, play time, and, we'll say it, some relief. The backyard still needs to be cleared from Fidos landmines. And a lot of pet owners prefer a home pet sitter rather than a kennel.

Let's investigate how you can earn some serious Scooby-snacks with a lot of dog snuggles and licks.

  1. Dog walkers often earn $10-$15 per :30-minute walk. Now add 3 or 4 dogs per walk with 3 walks per day and 2 sessions per time frame (morning, afternoon, evening). On the high-side, 4 dogs at $15/dog times 2 morning, 2 afternoon and 2 evening. That is $360 per day working only 6 hours per day. If you do that 5-days in a week then you've earned $1,800 in just one week.
  2. If you are very trustworthy and reliable then petting sitting may be for you. In-home pet sitters can earn up to $150 per overnight stay. If the owner goes out of town for the weekend then you could earn an extra $300 just for spending the night with the pets and this does not usually interfere with other job opportunities or you dog walking service. The owners will probably expect you to feed their pets in the morning and evening and check on them during the day. They typically also want a couple of pics texted each day.
  3. This may not be the best way to reach financial relief but there are also dog scooper services out there. It's a messy job but someone has to do it and services usually charge between $15 - $20 week. If you want to make an additional $500 per week then you need 25 - 35 clients. You can make your own hours and it could lead to additional dog walking or sitting opportunities.
  4. In today's gig-economy, you can find clients pretty easily. Here are a few apps that can help you get started:
    1. Rover
    2. PetBacker
    3. Wag!
    4. Pawshake
    5. Time to Pet
    6. Dog Hero
    7. Dogo
    8. Walkies
    9. Dog Monitor
  1. Get pre-approved for a cash advance up to $2,000 or title loan up to $2,250 over the phone from one of our knowledgeable associates.
  2. You can start the process of getting a cash advance or title loan online.
  3. CashMax has 37 convenient locations in Texas to serve you:

  2339 Hits

Ways to Financial Relief - 4 Ways to Avoid 4th and Long

4 Ways to Avoid 4th and Long

Fall feels great. We are back to a more structured week with school in session, football on Friday, Saturday and Sunday plus kids sports and activities. Fall is also the time when we need to prepare for Halloween, Thanksgiving and the Holiday Season. Wrapped in there are some big financial landmines if you are not careful. Your financials can go from 1st and 10 to 4th and long very quickly.

Let’s quickly take a look at 4-ways to fall financial relief.

  1. Map out big expenses. We know the last three months of the year can be expensive so let’s priorities by when these expenses will happen and set a budget for each.
  2. Now, we know when and how much we anticipate spending, so start buying a little at a time or stash small amounts aside each week to build up your financial playbook.
  3. Fall is the time when most companies are planning for next year. They are evaluating their plans and you should too. Search the market value of your current position, write down your accomplishments, practice your pitch, schedule time with your supervisor or the owner, and make the ask. Employers want to keep their best players, so if you feel you deserve it, call the play.
  4. You may have unused vacation or health benefits. Sometimes these rollover but often they don’t. Check in with your HR department to determine where you are for the year, what the restrictions are, then tackle the benefits you have earned.

Visit a friendly CashMax store near you. We love our clients and love meeting new customers.

  1. Get pre-approved for a cash advance up to $2,000 or title loan up to $2,250 over the phone from one of our knowledgeable associates.
  2. You can start the process of getting a cash advance or title loan online.
  3. CashMax has 37 convenient locations in Texas to serve you:

  1854 Hits

Ways to Financial Relief – 7-ways to Prep for College

7-ways to Prep for College

Over the years we have spent a lot of time talking about ‘Back to School’ and for the most part, we typically focus the conversation around elementary and middle school. What about college back to school and how do we prepare the expenses of dealing with sending our kids away to school… sometimes for the first time. Beyond the emotional stress and anxiety of this transition, there’s also the financial stress. So we’ve put together a list of 7 essentials for any college student’s backpack that will save you time, money and stress. The best part, you can probably purchase all 7 items for less than $175.

  1. You need a good reusable water bottle. This is both good for the environment and your wallet. Most schools have refill stations. I mean, when was the last time you saw a traditional water fountain? Walmart, Target, Amazon and many others carry reusable water bottles for around $30.
  2. So many devices, so much power. We need to stay connected on all of our devices, mainly so mom can get in touch with you. Get a good multiport charger and portable charger. These devices can be found for around $60.
  3. With more devices and more chargers, you will need extra cables. You’re on the move, so carry a mobile set of cables. Keep your dorm room set plugged in and ready and keep a set in your backpack. An extra set of cables will only set you back about $20 but the convenience is worth it.
  4. Write it down. Yes, even in this digital world, a solid notebook or journal is essential. Quick notes, to-dos, journal your thoughts, create lists on the move, stay organized. Add a pen or pencil and you’re a writer for about $15.
  5. Living on your own means staying healthy. Grab a few bottles of travel sized hand sanitizer so you can attend your classes in person… and still go out on the weekends. Oh, but you have to use it. It’s only about $5.
  6. Stay healthy and stay dry. Throw a compact umbrella in your back to keep yourself, your clothes and your electronics dry. It might also help you make a few friends on those wet rainy days. Your friendship is worth $10.
  7. Life without mom means you need a simple first aid kit. We hope you won’t need it but it’s better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it. A basic kit with bandages, cold pack, Alieve or Advil, Neosporin, and a little preparation only costs about $20.

Visit a friendly CashMax store near you. We love our clients and love meeting new customers.

  1. Get pre-approved for a cash advance up to $2,000 or title loan up to $2,250 over the phone from one of our knowledgeable associates.
  2. You can start the process of getting a cash advance or title loan online.
  3. CashMax has 37 convenient locations in Texas to serve you:

  2017 Hits

Ways to Financial Relief - 5 Ways to Earn Extra Money

5 Ways to Earn Extra Money

Prices and the general cost of living is clearly increasing. Everything just seems to cost a little more: at the grocery store, gas station, utilities, clothing, dining out, and even the local coffee shop. Most of us are feeling the pain and our paychecks are not increasing at the same rate. CashMax has put together five way to earn some extra money during these peak summer hours.

  • IBOTTA – You can get cash back every time you shop. We make it easy, fast and safe to save big.
  • SWAGBUCKS – Get FREE gift cards and cash for the everyday things you do online. Earn points when you shop online, watch entertaining videos, search the web and answer surveys.
  • SURVEY JUNKIE – Take surveys. Get paid. Be an influencer. Share your opinion to help brands deliver better products and services.
  • INBOX DOLLARS – Be rewarded to watch videos, take surveys, and shop.
  • NEIGHBOR – Make extra money by renting storage space in your garage, shed, a closet, or room.

If you need extra cash to jump start organizing your finances, visit a friendly CashMax store near you. We love our clients and love meeting new customers.

  1. Get pre-approved for a cash advance up to $2,000 or title loan up to $2,250 over the phone from one of our knowledgeable associates.
  2. You can start the process of getting a cash advance or title loan online.
  3. CashMax has 37 convenient locations in Texas to serve you:

  1361 Hits

Ways to Financial Relief – Simple Steps to Organize Your Finances

Simple Steps to Organize Your Finances

Creating and sticking to a budget can feel daunting. When we miss a day, a week or even a month, we often ditch the effort and feel lost again. I think we can all say that discipline is the #1 step to organizing our finances. Another critical factor is consistency. Building consistent financial habits helps us stay organized.

  1. One of the biggest financial stressors can be credit card debt. There are several philosophies to getting out of credit card debt. One that often works is the snowball method, where you attack the smallest balance first. This helps you build momentum, like a snowball rolling down a hill.
  2. When everything seems to cost more, discipline and consistency are a must. So is meal prep but it can save you a lot of money every month. Preparing meals in advance helps you get organized, think ahead, and eliminates impulse buys. You may also be able to buy in bulk which save money too.
  3. Review your subscriptions and automated purchases. Do you really need six streaming services? Probably not, so cancel the ones you use the least or see if your favorite shows are on a less expensive platform.
  4. June is a good month to find ways to save on your energy bills. Try these three steps to start: 1) change your air filters, 2) check the seals around windows and doors, and 3) unplug unused or under-used electronics from the wall. One last thing, in the hot summer months, only run your dishwasher and washer and dryer at night. This will reduce the amount of heat that is already causing you’re a/c to run overtime.
  5. Take the Spend Challenge. This is hard and most people don’t do it because it can feel stressful at first. Review your last three-months of spending. Track everything then analyze where you think you can save – dining out, clothes shopping, expensive or name brand grocery items, gas, etc. Then challenge yourself to shave a little here and a little there.

There’s savings in there. Discipline and consistency are can help you get there, one day at a time.

If you need extra cash to jump start organizing your finances, visit a friendly CashMax store near you. We love our clients and love meeting new customers.

  1. Get pre-approved for a cash advance up to $2,000 or title loan up to $2,250 over the phone from one of our knowledgeable associates.
  2. You can start the process of getting a cash advance or title loan online.
  3. CashMax has 37 convenient locations in Texas to serve you:

  1634 Hits

Ways to Financial Relief - Spring and Summer Savings

Spring and Summer Savings

With cost rising everywhere, this month we’re focusing on ways to help you save during the spring and summer months.

  1. Spring or Pre-Summer Cleaning – This is the time of year when you need to clean where you’ve intentionally avoiding. Clean behind your refrigerator, dust those lightbulbs, and seals around doors. This will help your house be more efficient.
  2. Check Your Cooling System – Get an AC tune up, clean your units, and replace your air filter. If you can, replace your thermostat with a smart system or set timers so your system only runs when you really need it.
  3. Install Ceiling Fans – This is an easy fix to keep you cooler and your system running at a lower cost. On average, ceiling fans can allow you to raise the temperature by 4 degrees and you won’t feel the difference.
  4. Seal Your House – First, clean your door, window, and garage seals; replace any worn out or cracked seals, then finish with a spray of WD40 or use an expanding foam to fill in the gaps.
  5. Plant Some Shade – Plant trees, shrubs or plants that offer shade around your house, near windows and doors. This both beautifies your home and helps keep it cool with a little more shade.
  6. Recycle – Save money by riding your bike or walking to short errands or work. Also some of the things you throw away may have some value.

If you need extra cash to jump start your spring and summer, visit a friendly CashMax store near you. We love our clients and love meeting new customers.

  1. Get pre-approved for a cash advance up to $2,000 or title loan up to $2,250 over the phone from one of our knowledgeable associates.
  2. You can start the process of getting a cash advance or title loan online.
  3. CashMax has 37 convenient locations in Texas to serve you:

  1612 Hits

Ways to Financial Relief – Tax Season

2022 Tax Season

Timing is everything...

The IRS is now accepting 2021 taxes and the deadline is April 18, 2022. You may qualify for the IRS Free File program, if you earned less than $73,000 of adjusted gross income. There are seven federal tax brackets for 2021 from 10% - 37%. Check out the tax brackets here.

Here are some of the most common items you may need to file your taxes.

Continue reading
  2240 Hits

Ways to Financial Relief - 2022 Money Moves

2022 Money Moves

What are you building for…

The start of a new year can be exciting. It’s an opportunity for a fresh start, challenge ourselves, and commit to new things. The top three New Year’s Resolutions usually fit into the health/wellness, spend more time with family and friends, and personal finances categories. I want to eat better and exercise more. I want to spend more quality time with family and friends. I want to pay off my debt and save some money. Pretty typical.

We can’t really help with the first two, but we’ve put together some helpful steps toward financial relief in 2022.

Continue reading
  1894 Hits

Ways to Financial Relief – Holiday Shopping on a Budget

Ways to Financial Relief – Holiday Shopping on a Budget

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Weather is cooler. The year is winding down. Kids are out of school. Getting together with family and friends. It is also one of the most expensive times of the year and that can cause stress. You have already paid for Thanksgiving and you may done some early shopping on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday or Cyber Monday.

Here a few ways to get financial relief during the holidays.

  1. Sending Christmas cards can be expensive. The mail is slower then ever and cost more. Just printing cards is expensive. Go digital this year. Take your own photo (matching pajamas makes for family fun) and send a digital card.
  2. Price match everything. Most retailers, especially the majors like Target, Walmart, Best Buy and many more, will match competitor’s pricing. Start online to make trips to the store more efficient.
  3. Take advantage of free shipping.
  4. Make a list of everyone you want to buy gifts for then make a budget.
  5. Shop a little each week rather than sending a lot of your money out the door all at once.
  6. When shopping online, look for pay overtime options. There are a lot of no fee options like Affirm and Klarna.

If you need a little extra cash to jump start, visit a friendly CashMax store near you. We love our clients and love meeting new customers.

  1. Get pre-approved for a cash advance up to $2,000 or title loan up to $2,250 over the phone from one of our knowledgeable associates.
  2. You can start the process of getting a cash advance or title loan online.
  3. CashMax has 38 convenient locations in Texas to serve you:

  2036 Hits