Robinhood - The Commission-free Stock Trading & Investing App

Have you checked up Robinhood?  It's an investment app that is great for the beginning investor.  And if you sign up using my link we both get free stock.  It is a hit or miss what you get but it is fun.  I got a stock that wasn't worth much, but my wife got one share of Visa.  All you have to do after you sign up, is connect your bank account and you should get your free stock in no time.  Check it out .  Here is my link to sign up.

FBJ Creations and living and traveling in a Bus

Photo Source: Mrs FBJ

While camping on Assateague Island this past week, I saw this creatively painted bus and had to check it out. There was a canopy outside advertising FBJ Creations and I had thought they designed the bus. Actually, they make custom bike bags and had converted the bus as a traveling home, workshop and office. Yes, we went to talk with them. They even let us see the inside of the bus. Very cool!

Bryon and Becky, their two children and dog are living the dream. Originally from Idaho, they are currently touring the east coast – working, biking, camping and doing what they want. Many of the craft fairs they were to participate in were cancelled due to the pandemic but are doing well with online sales. Bryon told me that the pandemic actually helped them in starting their dream quicker as he had the time to refurbish the bus and get on the road.

The day after we spoke with them, they left Maryland and from their blog post, they headed to Connecticut where father and daughter participated in a BMX bike race! Now if that isn’t living the dream, I don’t know what is! You can check out their website here and read their blog. If you are a bike enthusiast, and want a custom bike bag, check out their shop.

We all can get out there and live our dreams!

2019 Passive Income

My second year of keeping track of my passive income saw an increase by 12%.  Total passive income for 2019 was $8,755 (2018 was $7,803).  Most of it (72%) was from dividends but that counts, doesn’t it?  My plans are increasing this each year before my wife retires.  Sure wish I did this decades ago.  I am all increasing my presence on eBay, not so much on Amazon.  Other income includes sales of my artwork, garage sales and recycling.  I also received gift cards totaling $756.  Although, not cash, I include this as I use it to buy gifts and/or household items.  Sure helps with the budget.

Here’s the breakdown of passive income for 2019:
Survey Income $282
Interest Income $3
Divident Income $6,314
Shopping Rebates $13
Ebay Sales (net fees and shipping) $1,409
Amazon Sales (net fees and shipping) $53
Blog Income $227
Other Passive Income $337

2019 Expense Percentages

I just did an analysis of all our expenses for 2019.  I was somewhat surprised to see the results.  Although I won’t give dollar amounts, I shall share the percentages of money spent last year.  It was too much, with little going to savings, but hopefully 2020 will be better.

House repairs was almost 19% of our expenses and the biggest expense.  Let’s hope we have none of that this year.

Net up are incomes taxes which was about 15%.  I guess when we retire this will become less.  It is a necessary evil.

Third highest expense is loan payments 13%.  That will end soon and we will have more money in savings.

Number four is the car, which includes car payments, gas and maintenance at 8.35%,

Number five is retirement contributions at 8.25%.  This is a good thing, just wish we could make it higher.

Next up is health insurance, another necessary evil but was only 6.25%. Thank goodness my wife’s company pays for half, making our payments so low.

Number seven is groceries.  I do the shopping and think we spend too much.  It is 5.5% of our expenses.

The last two that I will include as everything use in under 2% is vacation and entertainment.  Both are 5% each of our total expenses.  We love to travel and I thought it would be more but then again, we are frugal and find great deals!

All these are 85.35% of our expenses.  Percentages will change when our incomes change, so it will be interesting to see what 2020 brings!

WeAre8: The People's Platform

Have you checked out the WeAre8 app?  I did and was skeptical at first, but then started using it in the past month I have made $86.00.  Sure, it all hasn’t hit my bank account yet, but it will be.

What is We Are 8, you may ask?  Get creative and get paid!  What is We Are 8, you may ask?  I got this from their Facebook page:

At 8, we build relationships between brands and millions of people. On 8, everyone on the planet is economically rewarded when they share or create high-quality brand content. Get creative. Get Paid.

How does it work?

1.) Download the WeAre8 app & accept sponsorships from brands you love.

2.) Depending on the sponsorship, either share or create branded content on your social media account(s).

3.) Get paid through your PayPal account.

4.) Do it again!

And it is fun.  I am having a ball and putting money in my packet to boot.  Check it out, there website is https://www.weare8.com/ And no, I do not get a referral fee.

Side Hustle: From Idea to Income in 27 Days - Book Review

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

I read about Side Hustle from a finance blog that I regularly read and thought this is a book that I WANT to read.  I’d love to have a side hustle to make extra cash.  Who wouldn’t?  Anyway, after reading the book, I found it isn’t really easy to do it in 27 days.  You’d really have to hustle, try and come up with an idea (although he does suggest stealing other ideas.  And first, it would have to be something I am passionate about to put all that time and energy into such idea.

Don’t get me wrong, I think that he has some great ideas and if one wants to be an entrepreneur, it could help.   And if one doesn’t know where to begin, this book would be helpful in getting that ball rolling.  And isn’t that what we all need, to get a push and get the proverbial ball rolling?

Overall, it is good for the beginner, although it doesn’t add anything new if you have been through this before or read other books on the subject.

3 Stars

Fetch Rewards

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

The latest app that I have installed on my phone is FetchRewards.  It's a free app that turns grocery receipts into rewards.  All you have to do is scan any grocery receipt, and earn points towards awesome rewards (gift cards). You'll earn at least 1% on all listed brands and products, and gain access to exclusive offers that earn you even more points. No more entering codes, completing tasks or jumping through any hoops! Just scan your grocery receipt, and get rewarded.  I have been using it for two weeks and have accumulated 4,000 points, and I only shop once a week.  As an example, 3,000 points gets you a $3 gift card.

Use my referral code, QT6PD, during signup and you'll get 3,000 Fetch Points ($3.00 in points!) just for starting.

Why wait? Download Fetch Rewards free here: https://bit.ly/2zwOdBK