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You may not stop to think about money because it’s a part of our everyday life, but there are lots of fascinating facts about currency. Learning some interesting tidbits may change how you think about money and even come in handy the next time trivia night rolls around.

Read on for 21 fun facts about money.

Surprising Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Money

Maybe you already know only two non-Presidents grace the front of U.S. bills (Alexander Hamilton on the $10 bill and Benjamin Franklin, the $100 bill). But did you know our paper currency isn’t really made out of paper? And that no living person can appear on a U.S. coin or dollar bill? It’s true! Here, learn more intriguing money facts.

1. Each Dollar Amount Has Its Own Lifespan

Money doesn’t last forever, but some dollar bills have a longer life cycle than others.

According to the U.S. Currency Education Program, a $10 bill has the shortest lifespan while a $100 bill has the longest. Here’s the estimated lifespan of the different denominations:

•   $1: 6.6 years

•   $5: 4.7 years

•   $10: 5.3 years

•   $20: 7.8 years

•   $50: 12.2 years

•   $100: 22.9 years

2. A Banknote Can Be Folded 4,000 Times

Our currency is pretty durable. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the sole producer of U.S. paper currency, says it would take 4,000 double folds, forward and backwards, for a dollar bill to tear. It might be because paper money isn’t actually made of paper. It’s actually a blend of 75% cotton and 25% linen with tiny blue and red synthetic fibers of various lengths evenly distributed throughout the bill.

3. There’s a Reason US Dollars Are Green

Dollar bills weren’t always green. Colonial money for example, was tan with black or red ink. It wasn’t until the Civil War the government started using green ink to print paper money where it got the name greenbacks. The color was selected because the ink didn’t fade or easily decompose, which protected against counterfeiting.

4. A Coin Can Last Around 30 Years

Coins stay in circulation for about 20 to 30 years, which is when they become too worn to use. At that time, the Federal Reserve takes them out of circulation and melts them down to use for other purposes.

Recommended: How Do Federal Reserve Banks Get Funded?

5. The Highest Bill Denomination Issued by the US Was $100,000

Printed in 1934 and featuring President Woodrow Wilson, this $100,000 bill was a gold certificate currency that was never intended for public use, such as being deposited into a checking account. Instead, it was meant only for official transactions between Federal Reserve Banks. The last time this banknote was printed was in 1945, and it can’t be legally held by collectors.

6. A Penny Costs More to Make than It’s Worth

A recent report says it costs almost 3.1 cents to make a penny as of 2023. Why the increase? Part of the rise could be the higher prices of copper and zinc, both of which are used to make pennies.

7. Money Is Dirtier Than You Think

Both paper currency and coins can carry viruses and bacteria that can live on the surfaces and easily transfer to your skin or onto other objects after touching it. Research has found physical currency can change hands up to 110 times a year or almost twice a week. One recent study found banknotes made with cotton or linen fibers, such as U.S. dollar bills, present increased areas for germs and the capacity to retain moisture, which can make it an easier place for bacteria to thrive.

8. The Dollar Sign Was First Used in 1785

Here’s another fun money fact: The official adoption of the dollar sign in the U.S. can be traced back to 1785, when it evolved from the Spanish symbol for pesos. It’s believed the $ originated from the abbreviation PS, which was used to indicate Spanish pesos in the Americas. Gradually the “S” came to be written over the “P,” eventually morphing into the dollar sign we know today.

9. Martha Washington Is the Only Woman to Appear on a US Bill

America’s first First Lady, Martha Washington, is to this day, the only woman to have her likeness appear solo on a U.S. paper currency note. Her image appeared on the $1 Silver Certificate, first issued in 1886 and discontinued in 1957. It was the country’s second-longest issued paper money.

10. America Isn’t the Only Country that Uses the US Dollar

Besides the United States and its five inhabited territories, 11 countries in the world also use the U.S. dollar, the world’s reserve currency, as their official currency: The British Virgin Islands, Timor-Leste (or East Timor), Bonaire, Ecuador, El Salvador, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Palau, Sint Eustatius, Saba, and Turks and Caicos.

Recommended: Examining the Value of the U.S. Dollar

11. You Can Make Your Money Crisp by Ironing It

Ready for a surprising money fact that involves a little bit of fabric know-how? If you’ve got a creased, crumpled, or wrinkled dollar bill, you can make it look new by pressing it with your iron. As mentioned earlier, U.S. dollars are 75% cotton and 25% linen, so it’s actually fabric. To iron the money, dampen the dollar bill slightly with a spritz bottle, sprinkle water by hand, or use the spray function on the iron itself. Set the iron to a low heat, put a towel under the bill and another on top of it, then iron the money in a circular motion. Set aside to air dry. Presto! You should have a nice flattened bill, ready to stick in a gift card or slide into an ATM en route to your savings account.

Recommended: How to Write a Check

12. The Oldest Currency Still in Use Is the British Pound

The British pound dates back to 775 AD and was called the pound sterling, when Anglo-Saxon kings used silver pennies, or sterlings, as money. Today, this foreign currency is the fourth most traded in the foreign exchange market, after the U.S. dollar, the euro and the Japanese yen.

Recommended: Here’s What You Can Do with Leftover Foreign Currency

13. 13. There Are 1.2 Billion $2 Bills Still in Circulation

The first $2 bills were printed in 1862. Although they originally featured Alexander Hamilton, they were later redesigned to feature Thomas Jefferson. The bills are still in circulation (1.2 billion of them in fact) and are considered to be the rarest currency denomination in the U.S. Some people believed $2 bills were bad luck and would rip off the corners of the bill to “reverse the curse,” making them unusable.

14. The First Universal Credit Card Was Introduced in 1950

Credit cards originated in the U.S. back in the 1920s, but were issued by individual firms, such as oil companies and hotel chains, to their customers, specifically for purchases made at company outlets. It wasn’t until 1950 when Diners Club founders Ralph Schneider and Frank McNamara issued a card that could be used at a variety of establishments. The Diners Club card sparked the modern credit card era. Others soon followed, such as American Express, which debuted their card of this type in 1958.

Recommended: 10 Credit Card Rules You Should Know

15. There’s an ATM on Every Continent on Earth

One interesting money fact involves how we access it. There are more than 3 million cash machines around the world today. You can get or deposit cash at ATMs in the most remote of places including in the most remote of places including Easter Island and McMurdo Station in Antarctica!

16. The Secret Service Originally Fought Counterfeiting

Today we typically think of the U.S. Secret Service as protection for certain political leaders, including the President and Vice-President and their immediate families. But the agency was founded for a very different reason. By the end of the Civil War, fake money was a significant problem, with nearly one-third of all U.S. paper currency in circulation being counterfeit. As a result, the financial stability of the country was in jeopardy, so in 1865, the Treasury Department established the Secret Service to suppress the counterfeiting. They didn’t start protecting the President until 1901, after the assassination of President William McKinley.

17. Most Americans Hoard Their Spare Change

One landmark survey by MyBankTracker.com found 55.5% of people do nothing with the loose change they’ve accumulated. Interestingly, 60.3% of the male respondents said they’re more likely to leave their extra coins untouched compared to 51% of the female respondents.

Another survey from Coinstar, conducted a few years ago, found that people estimated they had about $28 in change at home but typically took $56 in change to Coinstar machines.

Recommended: 7 Tips to Managing Your Money Better

18. Only 8% of the World’s Currency Is Physical Money

Interesting money fact: With mobile banking and electronic payments becoming more and more common, people are earning and spending money without having to even touch it. Economists estimate only 8% of the world’s currency is literal cash with the rest existing on computer hard drives in electronic bank accounts.

19. Coins Didn’t Always Say “In God We Trust”

The original American penny, reportedly designed by Benjamin Franklin, features a motto he popularized, “Mind Your Business.” The message wasn’t literally telling people not to be nosy. Instead, it was meant as a literal instruction about business and commerce, to keep focused on your livelihood.

20. US Airports Make Big Money from Loose Change

According to the Department of Homeland Security, airline passengers leave behind thousands of dollars in coins each year at U.S. airport screening checkpoints. In 2023, the most recent year studied, the Transportation Security Administration collected almost $1 million in unclaimed money (mostly coins) from passengers who emptied their pockets while going through the security line. These funds get deposited into a special fund so that collection and spending can be easily tracked. After a period of

21. This Century Is Transforming Money

Online banking has recently transformed how people manage their personal finances, and technology continues to alter how money is handled.
New ways to pay for things continue to rise in popularity, including mobile payment technology like Venmo, PayPal and Google Pay.

Approximately 42.6% of people worldwide use mobile or digital wallets.

The Takeaway

Learning fun facts about money reveals that there’s more to it than its face value. Finding out some fascinating money trivia might even change the way you think about it. These facts can enrich your understanding of the history of our currency system, how it’s evolving, and its place in the global market.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.

Photo credit: iStock/bob_bosewell

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SOBK-Q424-063

If the kitchen is the heart of the home, what does it say when yours is falling apart? Shabby fixtures, failing appliances, or a dysfunctional layout might have you daydreaming about a full gut reno — but how much does an average kitchen remodel cost? A minor kitchen update by DIY-savvy homeowners may come in around $7,000, while a major remodel can balloon to $50,000, or even $100,000+.

Before you begin your kitchen update, it helps to consider why you’re remodeling and whether it will add value to your home. We’ll help you scope out the average cost of a kitchen remodel — including cabinetry, countertops, and labor — and where you can save money without sacrificing function or design.

Factors Affecting Kitchen Remodel Costs

Before you start a kitchen remodel, it’s important to consider what you want to get out of it and what your return on investment (ROI) might be. You’ll also want to understand what factors can impact your costs so you know just how far your kitchen remodeling budget can go. Here are some factors to keep in mind:

Size of the Kitchen

The more square footage you’re remodeling, the more expensive the project tends to be. After all, you’re not only buying more materials (think cabinets, flooring, or tile), you’re also paying more in labor costs to have everything installed.

Scope of the Remodel

Generally speaking, the more extensive the work, the higher the price tag. For example, knocking down walls will set you back anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000. Want to relocate your sink? Expect to pay between $500 to $1,000. Compare that to the cost of smaller jobs, like replacing cabinet pulls (around $300) or adding new kitchen lighting ($100-$200 per fixture).

You may be interested in this story on the difference between a renovation vs. remodel.

Quality of Materials and Finishes

The average kitchen remodel cost can vary a lot depending on a few key items: cabinetry, countertops, and appliances. And the quality and type of materials of those items can have a significant impact on how much you’ll pay.

Take, for example, the cost of countertops, which is determined by the material. Typical materials include granite, marble, quartz, stainless steel, and butcher block wood. Granite, stainless steel, and butcher block are good budget options, ranging from $850 to $6,750 depending on the size of your kitchen. Marble and quartz command $1,500-$10,000.

Level of Customization

The more complex the design — and the more customized features you include — the more you’re likely to pay for a kitchen remodel. Consider cabinetry, which typically eats up 25% of a kitchen budget. There are three types of kitchen cabinet construction, each priced per linear foot:

•   Stock cabinets, the least expensive, run $100-$300 per linear foot.

•   Semi-custom are $100-$650 per linear foot.

•   Custom will set you back $500-$1,200 per linear foot.

Custom cabinets are made to order, based on your kitchen’s precise measurements, and are made of solid wood. Stock are ready-made and mostly constructed of engineered wood, and semi-custom are a hybrid of stock and custom.

Installation and Labor Costs

Labor is a major cost that can be hard to predict. But count on spending 20%-35% of your budget on contractors and installers. Your price will depend on where you live, how large your space is, and the features being installed.

Regional Variations in Kitchen Remodel Costs

Bargain hunters should be aware that some factors influencing budget are not within their control — like where in the U.S. you live. Homeowners on the West Coast generally pay more for materials and labor than in the South. Prices also tend to run higher in and around major cities. There are several reasons for this, including the cost of shipping materials to your area, local permits and fees, and your cost of living.

Notice how the overall costs vary by region, according to 2024 data from the home services website Angi.

Budgeting for Your Remodel

Deciding what your new-and-improved kitchen will look like is important, but so is figuring out how to pay for it. Here are some strategies to keep in mind:

Set a Realistic Budget Based on Your Goals

Money.com recommends spending between 10% and 15% of the value of your home on a kitchen remodel to get the best ROI. A major reno for a $400,000 home, then, would cost between $40,000 and $60,000.

Look for Ways to Save

In a full-scale kitchen remodel, new kitchen cabinets are typically the biggest expense, accounting for up to 40% percent of the project budget. If your cabinets are in good shape and fulfill your storage needs, refacing them can slash your bill. Refacing can mean either stripping and repainting or staining existing doors, adding stick-on veneers, or replacing the doors while preserving the cabinet shelves. Add new hardware for a more modern look.

You may also be able to trim some costs by doing simple things yourself: picking up items instead of paying for delivery, painting walls instead of paying contractors for the labor, or replacing your own backsplash.

Understand the Potential Return on Investment

The truth is you probably won’t recoup the total cost of a kitchen remodel in a home sale. According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, the national average ROI for a minor remodel with mid-range materials is 96%. A major remodel with upscale materials, on the other hand, yields just a 38% ROI.

Clearly, the best bang for your buck will be less costly but visually impactful minor updates: replacing cabinets fronts, countertops, faucets, and lights, plus painting and perhaps new flooring. But if you want to change the layout or add all new appliances, you’re looking at five figures. More on that in a minute.

Consider a Loan to Help Cover Costs

It can be tempting to throw all your kitchen purchases on a credit card, but keep in mind that high-interest rates can inflate your renovation costs. These days, many homeowners are turning to a flexible personal loan to fund home renovations and remodels.

With home improvement loans, you receive a lump sum payment to cover your kitchen remodel cost. You can pay back the loan over a term of your choosing in equal monthly installments. The interest rate is determined by your credit history and credit score, but is typically lower than credit card interest.

Our Home Improvement Cost Calculator can give you an idea of how much you’ll need to borrow.

Maximize Value and ROI in Your Kitchen Remodels

Want to get the most bang for kitchen remodel buck? Here are a few places to start:

•   Choose durable, timeless design elements. Trends come and go, so to get the most mileage out of your remodel, stick with upgrades that can stand the test of time (and appeal to future buyers). If your budget allows, select a durable, classic countertop material like granite or marble, and opt for a neutral color palette and go-with-anything fixtures and handles.

•   Optimize layout and functionality. The kitchen isn’t just a natural gathering spot — it’s also a place for work. Whether it’s prepping meals or cleaning up afterward, a functional space is key. As your remodeling vision starts to take shape, be sure above all it enhances the workflow and offers you plenty of countertop and storage space.

•   Select energy-efficient appliances and fixtures. Sure, energy-efficient appliances and lighting use less energy and can lower utility bills. But they also have the added bonus of attracting potential eco-conscious buyers.

Choosing the Right Kitchen Remodeling Contractor

When you’re starting the home remodel process, it’s important to find a contractor you can trust. That means doing your research, speaking with and getting quotes from multiple contractors, and reaching out to their previous clients for referrals. You’ll also want to check licenses and certifications.

It’s also a good idea to request detailed project proposals and cost estimates to avoid any surprises. And when entertaining bids, remember that an experienced, in-demand contractor will likely charge more than less capable competitors, but will almost certainly be worth it.

Popular Kitchen Remodel Ideas

The Internet can be your best friend if you want to spruce up your kitchen but have no idea what to tackle first. As you’re browsing, keep an eye out for projects that will improve the functionality of the space and increase the value of your home.

Updating cabinets and countertops, for instance, can give your space a whole new look and provide more room for meal prep. Both upgrades also tend to deliver a high ROI.

Adding more functional storage solutions can make cooking more enjoyable and also make your home more attractive to potential buyers down the line. Similarly, adding or improving the lighting in your kitchen — or freshening up the fixtures — can also breathe new life into your space.

The Takeaway

The average kitchen remodel cost can vary widely from $7,000 to $50,000 or more, though you can get a fair return on your investment by spending between 6% and 10% of your home’s value. Your cost will depend on a number of factors such as kitchen size and whether you choose bargain, mid-range, or high-end materials and appliances. The major kitchen remodel cost drivers are cabinets, countertops, appliances, and labor. The good news is that the ROI for a smart, mid-range remodel is 96%.

When you’re ready to take the next step, there are various ways to finance the remodel, including a personal loan. Your credit history and credit score will help determine your interest rate, but it will likely be lower than the interest you’d pay on a credit card.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. See your rate in minutes.

FAQ

What is a realistic budget for a kitchen remodel?

When setting your budget for a kitchen remodel, a good rule of thumb is to plan to spend between 6% and 10% of your home’s value.

Is $10,000 enough for a kitchen remodel?

On average, a kitchen remodel can cost as little as $7,000 or as much as $50,000 or more. With a budget of $10,000, you’ll likely have enough to cover a cosmetic refresh or even a more substantial upgrade for a small kitchen.

Is $30,000 enough for a kitchen remodel?

Depending on the size of your kitchen and the work you want to do, a budget of $30,000 should easily cover a mid-range remodel.

What is the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?

Generally speaking, the most expensive line item in a kitchen remodel is the cabinets. Stock cabinets are the least-expensive option, typically running around $100-$300 per linear foot. Custom cabinets are the most-expensive option and cost around $500-$1,200 per linear foot.

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SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SOPL-Q424-058

When you think about making money online, chances are, you visualize selling something, whether it’s beaded necklaces you make, electronics you don’t use anymore, or a cool product you cooked up. But there are many ways to make money without offering a product, which can eliminate a lot of barriers to entry, along with the hassles of order fulfillment and shipping.

It’s not a cinch, but if you have a clever idea or some expertise, you can make money online, say, by building an app, creating a membership website, or developing a following on social media. There’s inspiration ahead.

Is It Possible to Make Money Online Without Selling a Product?

Fortunately, there are many ways to make passive income online without manufacturing and selling a product in the traditional sense. If you dread the idea of renting a warehouse or packing up and shipping items, this will be good news.

For example, many influencers on YouTube make money simply by providing informational videos that people find valuable. Once they have a following, they make money through YouTube ads that run on their channel.

Beyond YouTube, there are plenty of other ideas for how to make money with a website without selling anything. You might translate your tech knowledge and experience into building an app, or you could create a blog based on your favorite hobby that resonates with a particular audience.

11 Ways You Can Make Money Without Selling Anything

Ready to dig into some specifics? From dropshipping to streaming, the following are 11 ways people make money online without actually manufacturing or selling products.

1. Start Dropshipping

Dropshipping is one way to make money with a website without selling anything. Dropshippers sell products to customers, but they do not own or stock them. For the dropship business model, a customer places an order, and the dropshipper forwards the order to the supplier for a fee. The supplier then takes care of the shipping.

In essence, the dropshipper is the middle man. You don’t need to buy any items or manufacture anything yourself. And it can help you bring in some cash: One recent Ziprecuriter survey found that dropshippers earn almost $20 an hour.

Recommended: 11 Benefits of Having a Side Hustle

2. Launch a YouTube Channel

A YouTube channel can be lucrative once you have 1,000 subscribers. At that point, YouTubers can monetize their channel by accepting ads. How do you get 1,000 subscribers? By providing content that people want to see.

That could be showing off your cake decorating skills, your super cute Pomeranian puppy, or your ability to do your own taxes quickly and correctly. Choose a niche where you have expertise and create compelling content on that topic. Use clever headlines that will draw people to your channel, plus keywords to optimize them for YouTube searches and help you gain traction. Keep viewers engaged by producing a series of videos on a topic so that they continue to tune in.

3. Write a Blog or Podcast

Have ideas, intel, and opinions you’d like to share? Why not start a blog, which is similar to starting a YouTube channel. The cost of running a blog can be minimal, and it can be an exciting way to share your passions in life. You can create content on a niche topic that people are curious about and that you love. It could be travel, DIY advice, fashion, fitness, or finance.

If you are good, you can build a following. Once your following is big enough, companies will pay you to promote their products or services on your blog through ads and links. Brands may even sponsor you to write about them or invite you to write blogs for their own sites.

4. Create a Membership Website

If you find demand for your content, you could build a website for subscribers only and charge for the membership. The idea is to build a community of like-minded people who want to share knowledge and access exclusive content. A paid membership could offer videos, webinars, other educational products, and the ability to interact with other members.

Membership web-builder software can help you build a site and wrangle your followers, or you could use a third party to do it for you. The software allows you to register new members; process monthly dues, donations, and event payments; update member profiles; send emails to members about upcoming events, and send invites. A simple website builder will run from $10 to $20 per month and help you get your site up and running and hopefully growing.

Recommended: 25 Tax Deductions for Freelancers

5. Try Freelance Work

Some skills can be transferred to freelance gigs in a digital environment. For example, writers, teachers, designers, and coders can all learn how to make money from home. There are marketplaces for freelancers, such as Fiverr and Upwork, and you can establish a website of your own to pull in work.

There are also many job boards for freelancers, such as Flexjobs.com. Freelancers need to build a portfolio of work, which may require taking on lower-paying jobs at first as you work your way up.

Recommended: 15 Low-Cost Side Hustles

6. Become a Writer

Being a writer is an aspiration for many people, and there happens to be a huge market for website content. Many companies want to create informative blogs with SEO-optimized articles that will drive traffic to their websites. If you have expertise and knowledge in a niche area, you could write engaging articles for companies in that niche. Companies want ghostwriters, but there are also opportunities for bylined articles. Look for writing jobs on job boards like Flexjobs.com and Upwork.

7. Be a Product Tester

This is a fun one: You can make money online without selling by being a product tester. Brands often need people to try out their products to see how they rate with consumers. In return for their time and feedback, product testers may receive payment in the form of cash, merchandise, and gift cards.

Popular products for testing include toys, food, electronics, beauty products, household products, baby products, clothes, and websites. These gigs may pay about $25 an hour and can sometimes feel like playtime, making it potentially a good way to earn extra income.

You might also take surveys and provide feedback on marketing ideas online, as well. Sign up with a market research firm like iSay by Ipsos, Opinion Outpost, and Branded Surveys to get started.

8. Accept Micropayments

Looking for more ways to make money online without selling stuff? Say you write a blog that benefits a community. For example, you might be someone on the autism spectrum and blog about your experiences for a supportive audience. You can use a free app like “Buy Me a Coffee” to accept micropayments on your blog; this allows people who want to show their appreciation to send you a bit of money. Readers click on a widget on your blog to donate a few dollars to your site which you can then add to your bank account.

9. Set Donation Requests

One step up from accepting micropayments is to request donations directly. An example is Wikipedia, which intermittently asks its visitors to donate to fund the site’s research. Another example is virtual tip jars that appear on websites. Basically, it’s a way to monetize a website. You can collect feedback from engaged users at the same time to better understand what visitors would like to see on your site.

10. Create an App

Even if you are not a coder or app developer, you might have a great idea for an app that would make people’s lives simpler, better, or just more fun. Once you have an idea, a market that you’re targeting, and a brand concept, you can hire an app creator to do the coding for you. Once you have the app, add it to the App Store or Google Play. Start with a free app, and if it is a success, you can offer add-ons or premium features for a fee.

Recommended: How to Pay for Coding Bootcamps

11. Monetize a Twitch Channel

Chances are, you’ve heard of Twitch, the streaming platform that has expanded from gaming to a variety of content types, such as sports and entertainment. Still, gaming is its heartbeat, and Twitch streamers can monetize their love for the platform by sharing their gameplay with fans and subscribers who can hear and watch them live.

Streamers can gain a sizable following by providing consistent entertainment, and they can then sell products and Twitch ads. They can also land brand sponsorships, obtain fan donations, and sell subscriptions. Of course, not everyone will be a success at this, but those with the right skills and personality can thrive. For those who gain a following, earnings can be from a few hundred dollars a month to considerably higher.

How Making Money Online Can Help You on Your Financial Journey

You might not become a billionaire by choosing an online gig, but you can certainly supplement your day job or help with your college expenses and see your checking account grow. Making money online is flexible, and you can leverage your expertise and your niche. Start small and see where it leads. If you find something you enjoy that earns you money, it could be a way to realize your financial goals.

Recommended: How to Earn Residual Income

The Takeaway

How to make money online without selling anything comes down to creative thinking and a will to experiment. It’s actually a very accessible marketplace for anyone; you can avoid the typical startup costs en route to making a profit. Plus, you can work from home and tap your particular skills, whether that means creating fitness videos or developing an app.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.

FAQ

Is it hard to make money online?

How to make money online without selling products is not difficult as long as you pick the right niche. It helps to choose an activity where you have an interest and skills. You also need to be creative if you want to scale. Some tenacity and determination will help when you experience a lull or want to get to the next level and grow organically.

What is a great way to learn skills to make money?

There are so many online and offline resources where you can learn skills. If you are interested in programming, you can learn coding languages online. If you are interested in marketing, you can take a course and get certified in Google Analytics and Google Ads. YouTube and webinars can help you train up; just do your research and make sure the so-called expert has solid credentials.

Do donation requests work?

Donation requests work if people value what you are doing. There are quite a few scams out there, and people are becoming more wary. However, if you can establish a following and provide content of value, you’re onto something. The trick is to engage people by connecting them to a community that means something to them.

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SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. The SoFi® Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 11/12/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet

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Although we do our best to recognize all Eligible Direct Deposits, a small number of employers, payroll providers, benefits providers, or government agencies do not designate payments as direct deposit. To ensure you're earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, we encourage you to check your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit posts to your SoFi account. If your APY is not showing as the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. As long as SoFi Bank can validate those details, you will start earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit from the date you contact SoFi for the next 31 calendar days. You will also be eligible for the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit on future Eligible Direct Deposits, as long as SoFi Bank can validate them.

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*Awards or rankings from NerdWallet are not indicative of future success or results. This award and its ratings are independently determined and awarded by their respective publications.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.

Third Party Trademarks: Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

SOBNK-Q424-059

There’s a difference between being cheap and being frugal. Penny-pinching, or being a cheap person, can be painful for friends and family and also for you. It can stir up feelings of deprivation and insecurity; possibly even dishonesty. Whether you take a pocketful of “free” peppermints from a cafe or stiff your waitress, the consequences can add up, impacting your well-being across the board, from finances to relationships. On the flip side, being frugal means having a levelheaded attitude about money. Frugal people are usually respected and appreciated.

Need more cheap identifiers? Read on to learn 15 signs you are cheap.

What Does It Mean to Be Cheap?

A person who is cheap is extremely stingy with their money and time, all in the name of having perhaps a few more dollars in their checking account. For instance:

•   Are you so tight-fisted that instead of paying postage, you mail things from the office, so your employer foots the bill?

•   Do you (over)help yourself to “free” food but refuse to buy a snack or drink at a movie theater?

•   Are you stingy with your time, never volunteering for a good cause or putting in extra hours when your work team is in a crunch?

•   If the kids’ menu is for ages 12 and under, do you lie about how old your children are so they can partake for less?

If, in these and other ways, you think your personal profit is more important than everyone else’s losses, then yes, it’s safe to say you are being cheap.

How Does Being Cheap Differ from Being Frugal?

Those who are cheap want, at all costs, to keep cash in their own wallets and bank accounts. Frugal people, on the other hand, think calmly and clearly about how to spend mindfully.

A cheap person might go out to dinner with friends and “forget” to bring their money to chip in. A frugal person might suggest the group goes to a mid-priced restaurant (not one with pricey cocktails), and make other careful choices. Then, at the end of the month, they may have enough money for something meaningful, such as a soup kitchen donation or a lavish Mother’s Day experience for Mom and Grandma.

A frugal person tries not to waste money on frivolous purchases but also has a sense of generosity. Guess who’s likely to be more fun to be around?

15 Signs You Are Being a Cheap Person

A few examples of being cheap were mentioned above. Here, dig into signs of being a cheap person in more detail. Watch for these red flags in the game of life. No one wants to be bad with money, but taking scrimping and saving too far can also be an issue.

1. Letting DIY Turn into BIY (Break It Yourself)

Unless you’re an expert, taking the DIY route on repairs can be a sign you are cheap. These fixes are often bad and flimsy, leaving you with leakier pipes or unsafe wiring. Reputable professionals may charge a lot but will stand by their work.

For example, if you go the cheap way and try to fix a car problem by watching a YouTube video before taking a road trip, you could find yourself paying dearly for it. If the vehicle winds up breaking down, it will throw a wrench in your plans and cost you time and money as you get towed, pay for repairs, and have to Uber around while waiting for your car to be road-ready again. So hiring a pro can mean less money to stash in your savings account but actually be more economical in the long run.

2. Sneaking Refreshments Into Movies

Some people do bring their own snacks due to health reasons. But if you have to sneak something in under cover, it’s probably dishonest. Do you feel guilty spending $7 on a small pack of candy? Yes, it’s cheaper elsewhere, but going to the movies is a little splurge, and the treats are part of the fun. It’s also partly how the theaters stay in business.

While many movie theaters allow patrons to enter with their own beverages, that doesn’t mean you should bring all your friends and not spend a penny on refreshments.

Recommended: Why Do People Feel Guilty After Spending Money?

3. Hoarding at Home

Many people hoard because they don’t want to part with things that might be valuable. But how many samples of shampoos and makeup, t-shirts, skeins of yarn (in case you take up knitting), Christmas ornaments, and reusable water bottles can you keep? Letting go can be freeing and it feels even better if you donate items to charities that will sell them and give them a second life.

4. Stockpiling Free Condiments

It’s cheap behavior to squirrel bagfuls of little ketchup packets away in your cabinet. Will you ever use them? The same holds true for sugar, soy sauce, and salt and pepper packets. Snagging them for free and hoarding them can be a sign you are being cheap.

5. Reusing Paper Goods

Some people save paper cups that still look pretty clean and recycle soiled paper towels for another chore. But that’s a cheap way of living that likely doesn’t save you much. Better to buy recycled paper products to help save energy, water, and trees. Get dishwasher-safe, reusable party plates; they are sturdy enough to hold large pizza slices and the like.

6. Doing Only Free Activities

Free activities are wonderful and a part of a smart, frugal lifestyle. But cheap people take this to extremes and only want to go somewhere if it doesn’t cost money. This limits their plans accordingly. For instance, if you only go to the beach after 5 pm, when there are no entrance fees, you will never experience a classic sunny day. Plus, there probably aren’t any lifeguards on duty.

In life, balance is best. There’s no sense being miserly vs. having fun and staying safe. Paying the fee to visit, say, a beach or a majestic national park could provide a view worth a million bucks and a lifetime of great memories.

Recommended: Ways to Be a Frugal Traveler

7. Being Nosy about Other People’s Money

Cheap people tend to dwell on what other people spend, gossiping about or criticizing their purchases, such as a designer handbag or resort vacation. But maybe the buyer is a frugal person who has a solid money mindset and saved for a year to afford those nice things. Frugal does not mean cheap, and judging others’ spending can say more about your own financial habits than theirs.

8. Always Snagging Leftovers

It’s one thing to take home the restaurant meal you couldn’t finish but another to make off with the leftover shrimp at a friend’s party. If the host invites you to take some food, great. But don’t push it. You are a guest, after all.

It’s also a classic cheap move to take back anything you brought that wasn’t entirely devoured. If you brought two bottles of wine and only one was opened, the other one stays put, as a gift to your host for welcoming guests.

9. Saving Almost Spoiled Food

Many people look for ways to save money on food. But safety comes first. No matter how expensive that deli meat was, if it’s past the date that tells you it’s safe to consume, throw it out. If yogurt or cheese grows a layer of mold, out it goes. Only an ultracheap person would cling to it, eat it, and risk their health.

If you’re not sure how long food stays safe in the fridge, open a tab and search. There are many sites that share the full details.

10. Regifting Thoughtlessly

It’s okay to pass along (with honesty) a gift you cannot use or that doesn’t suit your needs, such as a pound of rocky road fudge when you’re avoiding sugar or a sweater that’s not your color. But it’s hurtful to wrap up something you have around, like an extra college sweatshirt or a set of mugs, and pass them off to a friend or relative as a new gift. That can be just plain cheap.

11. Buying Cheap Quality

If you buy cheaply made clothing, it will likely fray, fade, and fall apart way before good quality items do. Same with ultra low-priced bedding and towels. Likewise, if you invest in a good pair of shoes, they will stand up to new heels, soles, and repeated polishing. A cheap pair won’t go the distance.

Keep in mind that the same holds true with household purchases: Cookware with a rock-bottom price tag is likely to disappoint you, and the same may hold true with furnishings. Read reviews before you buy, and snag a good-quality item that’s a little pricier but more reliable.

Recommended: Guide to Practicing Financial Self-Care

12. Depriving Others While You Amass Money

Another sign you are cheap can be that you are totally focused on your own wealth management and never help others. Maybe a miser could make a payment to help a cousin or niece with a heavy student loan debt. That kind of money magic fills the heart of the giver and the recipient. Being selfishly cheap just leaves you with a heart tightened like a fist.

Recommended: Common Money Fights

13. Haggling Over Every Transaction

Bargaining nonstop can make everyone uncomfortable, except the cheap person who’s negotiating. The salesperson, other customers, and especially the cheap person’s friends and family who are present may want to vanish.

There are times and places where haggling is appropriate and can improve your financial life. Overstepping those boundaries can be a sign you are cheap.

14. Helping Yourself to Office Supplies

It’s one thing to take a pad personalized with your name or a paperweight that was a gift from the boss. But it’s another to stock your home office or a kid’s back-to-school list from the office supply closet. Just don’t. It’s veering into stealing.

Same goes for taking condiments and coffee supplies from the staff break room or raiding the bathroom for toilet paper so you don’t have to buy any.

Recommended: 17 Ways to Make Financial Freedom a Reality

15. Being a Bad Tipper

This may be the most obvious and most common sign of being cheap: looking for any reason to reduce the gratuity after a meal, from too few sugar packets on the table to the entree arriving too quickly or too slowly. Waiters and waitresses often manage many tables and make a low hourly wage. They count on tips to bring up their earnings.

If the food and/or service is awful, it makes sense that the tip would reflect that. But for a typical meal with perhaps a tiny glitch, not leaving a tip can be a giveaway that someone is a miser.

Tips to Avoid Being Cheap

Try to remember this advice next time you feel your inner cheap tendencies emerging.

•   Give yourself a fun budget: Find a little breathing room in your budget for things that bring you pleasure even if they are not great bargains. Maybe a fancy coffee on Friday mornings, to end the work week on a high note, can be a nice self-reward.

•   Shift your focus from cash. Consider rewards that have no set price attached to them. That means enjoying a movie plus popcorn with your best friend. Or the smile on your mother’s face when you bring her flowers.

•   Set up a separate bank account for generosity. Put a certain amount of money in every week, even just $50 or $10 can make a difference. Then, at the end of the month, do something kind for someone.

•   If you are dining out or getting coffee, build extra bucks into your budget ahead of time for the tip.

•   Look for positive ways to be frugal. Perhaps you could try couponing, selling unwanted items, or signing up for a bank account that offers a cash bonus when you become a customer.

•   Instead of clinging to your money, think about how hard behind-the-scenes people work. The staffers who put out the free hotel breakfast buffet, the shampoo girl at the salon: Appreciating their work with a tip goes a long way to make both you and them feel better.

The Takeaway

Knowing the difference between being cheap and being frugal is an important life lesson. The former leans toward miserly (stockpiling office supplies at home and leaving little or no tips) and is unpleasant to be around. The frugal person however usually spends mindfully and can afford to be generous in meaningful ways.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.

FAQ

Are there benefits to being a cheap?

A true cheap person may be able to reach financial goals, which is a benefit. But they might be so focused on saving that they cannot enjoy life. They are likely so busy not spending that they don’t know how to give back, chip in, be honest, and have fun with loved ones.

Is being cheap a personality trait?

Being cheap can be a personality trait, but it need not be a permanent one. It could be a habit developed because you grew up poor and wished for more money or possessions or it can stem from other insecurities. It’s possible to change this behavior if you become more aware of it and are motivated to be less stingy.

How do you deal with cheap people?

If you value the person and your relationship with them, do your best not to argue with them. That is unlikely to get them to spend more freely. Set expectations on get-togethers early; if something sounds too pricey for them, make another, less expensive plan. Avoid those situations that are likely to provide a forum for their cheap tendencies.

Photo credit: iStock/Morsa Images

SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. The SoFi® Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 11/12/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet

Eligible Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Eligible Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network every 31 calendar days.

Although we do our best to recognize all Eligible Direct Deposits, a small number of employers, payroll providers, benefits providers, or government agencies do not designate payments as direct deposit. To ensure you're earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, we encourage you to check your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit posts to your SoFi account. If your APY is not showing as the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. As long as SoFi Bank can validate those details, you will start earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit from the date you contact SoFi for the next 31 calendar days. You will also be eligible for the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit on future Eligible Direct Deposits, as long as SoFi Bank can validate them.

Deposits that are not from an employer, payroll, or benefits provider or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, Wise, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Eligible Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder's Eligible Direct Deposit activity to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility.

See additional details at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
*Awards or rankings from NerdWallet are not indicative of future success or results. This award and its ratings are independently determined and awarded by their respective publications.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

SOBK-Q424-062

Editor's Note: Options are not suitable for all investors. Options involve risks, including substantial risk of loss and the possibility an investor may lose the entire amount invested in a short period of time. Please see the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options.

Whether you are a new investor or a seasoned trader, it’s common to hear the word “volatility” when discussing the movements of a stock price or index. More volatile stocks tend to have larger swings in value, both up and down.

There are two forms of volatility, however. Historical volatility, which measures past price movements, and implied volatility, which estimates future price fluctuations based on options pricing. It’s crucial for participants in these markets to understand the difference between implied vs historical volatility.

Historical Volatility Definition

As the name suggests, historical volatility measures a stock’s price as compared to its average, or mean. The most popular way to calculate a stock’s historical volatility is by calculating the standard deviation of its price movements during a period of time.

Investors use historical volatility to get an idea of how likely the stock is to make large movements in price. A stock with higher volatility may indicate elevated risk, because there is a higher potential that the stock’s price could rise or drop significantly.

Highly volatile investments purchased with leveraged accounts can create additional risk. On the other hand, a stock with higher historical volatility could also be potentially more rewarding, since there is also a possibility that the stock’s price could make a big jump upward (or downward). Stocks may become more volatile during times of recession or uncertainty.

Investors measure a stock’s historical volatility as a percentage of the stock’s price, and not as an absolute number. That makes it easier to compare historical volatility between stocks — even if they have very different values — while assessing investment opportunities. When comparing the volatility of stocks, it’s important to look at them during the same time period.

Implied Volatility Definition

Implied volatility measures a stock’s expected future price fluctuations, derived from options prices, and is commonly used by traders to assess market uncertainty. While historical volatility is backward-looking, implied volatility attempts to quantify a stock’s volatility going forward.

Implied volatility reflects the prices of the options contracts associated with a particular stock. Options traders often assess implied volatility using metrics like Vega, one of the Greeks in options trading, which measures how sensitive an option’s price is to changes in implied volatility.

A stock with a higher implied volatility generally has options contracts with higher premiums. This is because there is more uncertainty around the direction of the underlying stock.

Recommended: Understanding the Greeks in Options Trading

Historical vs Implied Volatility

Although both implied volatility and historical volatility measure the volatility of stocks, they measure it in different ways. Historical volatility reflects the past price movements of a particular stock or index, while implied volatility gauges future expectations of price movements based on the prices of options contracts. Traders use implied volatility when they are determining the extrinsic value of an option.

When to Use Historical vs Implied Volatility

Historical volatility is used for assessing a stock’s past price movements. It demonstrates a stock’s value fluctuation over a specific period, and may provide an idea of the risk associated with it. Investors use historical volatility to gauge the potential for future price swings based on historical data.

Implied volatility may help an investor evaluate options pricing or forecast potential future price movements. This figure reflects the market’s expectations for future volatility, based on the prices of options contracts. Traders often use implied volatility to determine whether options are overpriced or underpriced relative to expected price movements.

For example, a trader could look at options with implied volatility that differs from its historical volatility. If an option’s implied volatility is lower than the historical volatility of the underlying stock, that may be a signal of an undervalued option premium.

Comparing Implied and Historical Volatility

Here is a quick summary of the differences between historical and implied volatility:

Historical Volatility:

Historical volatility is used to analyze a stock’s past price movements, regardless of whether the investor is purchasing the stock itself or trading its options. It can help assess the stock’s risk or potential for large price swings, which is valuable for both stock investors and options traders.

Implied Volatility:

Implied volatility is specific to options because it’s derived from options prices, reflecting the market’s expectations of future volatility. Implied volatility isn’t just for options traders, however. It can also be useful for stock traders as an indicator of market sentiment about the stock’s future price movements.

How to Use Implied and Historical Volatility Together

Because implied volatility and historical volatility measure different things, it can be useful to employ them both. The historical volatility of a given stock or index will measure how much the price has historically moved up and down. If you’re interested in investing in options for a stock, you can look at how its historical volatility compares to the implied volatility denoted by the prices of its options contracts.

One way you can incorporate some of these ideas into your trading strategies is through a volatility skew. A volatility skew depends on the difference in implied volatility between options contracts that are in the money, at the money, and out of the money.

Another relevant concept when it comes to implied volatility is a volatility smile, a graphic representation of the strike prices and the implied volatility of options with the same underlying asset and expiration date.


💡 Quick Tip: All investments come with some degree of risk — and some are riskier than others. Before investing online, decide on your investment goals and how much risk you want to take.

The Takeaway

Options traders often look at both historical and implied volatility when determining their options trading strategy. You may also use these tools while investing, or you might look at other factors to evaluate potential investments.

SoFi’s options trading platform offers qualified investors the flexibility to pursue income generation, manage risk, and use advanced trading strategies. Investors may buy put and call options or sell covered calls and cash-secured puts to speculate on the price movements of stocks, all through a simple, intuitive interface.

With SoFi Invest® online options trading, there are no contract fees and no commissions. Plus, SoFi offers educational support — including in-app coaching resources, real-time pricing, and other tools to help you make informed decisions, based on your tolerance for risk.

FAQ

How is implied volatility calculated from historical volatility?

The historical volatility of a stock or index reflects the changes in historical stock prices. It is often, but not always, calculated as the standard deviation of a stock’s price movements. Implied volatility is not calculated directly from historical data. Rather, it is derived from the market prices of options contracts for the underlying stock.

Is there a difference between implied and realized volatility?

Realized volatility is another name for the historical volatility of a stock. So while implied and realized volatility both measure how volatile a stock is, they have different definitions, and investors use them in different ways.

Photo credit: iStock/kupicoo