California divorced mom Marissa Forrester’s 1.5 carat diamond engagement ring had a retail value of $10,000 in 2012. Eleven years later in 2023, she sold it online for a quarter of that — $2,500.
“I thought I’d get something close to $5,000 or $6,000,” Forrester told me. “I was disappointed, but glad to finally get rid of it!”
While the resale value of a diamond has always been very low — 50% or even far less — prices have plummeted in the last two years as inexpensive lab-grown diamonds compete with natural stones, and the global economy is depressed.
While it may be disappointing to sell such an expensive item for such a small sum, it may make sense to sell now before prices drop even further.
Common mistakes women make when selling an engagement ring
Image Credit: Jackie Tsang via Unsplash
Most jewelry is a gift, and therefore an emotional possession — even if the gold, diamond or other material is really just a commodity. Engagement rings are the most emotional of all.
Before you figure out how and where to sell your engagement ring, let’s knock out some common emotional barriers that may be standing in the way:
1. Waffle about whether to sell or keep your engagement ring
I meet a lot of women who hold on to their engagement rings for a years, which in this market, means that they are losing money every day — all while holding on to a momento from what was likely a sad breakup.
Others similarly hold on to their ring for their children to use for their own engagement ring one day. I try not to judge, but that is nothing but bad mojo.
Others repurpose the center stone of their engagement ring into a necklace or other jewelry. Many seem happy with that choice, but again — there are plenty of other diamonds that don’t carry the negative baggage of your divorce.
In general, women are happier once they get rid of their engagement rings — whether they sell (and use the funds to pay off debt, go on vacation, invest in a business or education), or, in the case of Mallory in Oregon, climbed the summit of a local mountain, wrapped the ring in a scrunchie and tossed it off a cliff. “Never felt better,” she told me.
2. Assume your ring is worth more than it is
This post spells out how to understand what your engagement ring is really worth on the resale market. Dig into that ASAP — know what you are dealing with.
Word to the wise from Jessica in Lumberton, N.C.:
I thought about keeping my bridal set for my kids. However, I know there are a lot of superstitious people in our world. Plus, there was no way of knowing if either of my children would want the rings. So I finally decided to sell them to a pawn shop, mainly because my ex was not helping financially.
I was mad, but I didn’t know if my ex knew or if he was scammed. The jewelers where he bought the rings had closed down because people were finding out when they were bringing in real diamond jewelry to be sized or cleaned that their real diamonds were being taken out and were replaced with fake cheaply made stones. I went to another pawn shop and jewelry store hoping that the first place was wrong, but that was not the case. I did find someone that would take the set, but I literally got $10 for it, which at least replaced the gas I had burned going to all the different places for quotes.
One of the reasons many women choose not to sell their engagement ring is that the price they are quoted from a jeweler or auction site is much lower than what they believe their ring is worth.
Wholesale ring buyers need to make a profit when they resell your ring or earrings, so they like to buy low.
Diamond values are down at least 30% from their peak in summer 2022.
A common misunderstanding is that the engagement ring owner believes that, for example, she has a 1-carat engagement ring, when in reality, the center stone is .5 carats, and the surrounding smaller stones total .5 carats. Most jewelers or ring buyers value the smaller stones very little — perhaps less than $100 total in this case — and are only interested in the center stone.
Diamonds do not hold their value the same way that commodities like gold and silver do. Typically, the resale value of diamond jewelry is 30% to 50% of what you paid for it.
One online diamond buyer told me that the resale value can be as little as 5%.
“People are always surprised by how little their diamond is worth, but diamond retail prices have always been inflated, and now prices are dropping like crazy,” he said.
Prices have fallen nearly 30% since their peak in summer 2022, according to IDEX, which tracks global diamond trends:
IDEX December 11, 2024 report
3. Try to sell your ring without documentation
Now, many people, especially those with smaller stones, do not have a proper diamond appraisal, and that is OK.
Nonetheless, do your best to learn everything you can about what your diamond is worth. If you have a GIA certificate for your engagement ring or other lab report, the original box, receipt, and any documentation of the size and quality of the stones and metal, send or bring it with you when you sell.
The resale value of your engagement ring depends on the size, cut, clarity and color of the stone, as well as the market value of the precious metal in which it is set. Plus, yours might be worth more if it’s from a designer jewelry brand. All of these can be documented in a lab report or even a jewelry appraisal or diamond appraisal.
These reports typically cost between $100 and $300, so they’re only worth it if your item is worth at least $1,000.
4. Take the first offer for your engagement ring
Image Credit: Micah & Sammie Chaffin via Unsplash
It’s always worthwhile to get at least two offers for your engagement ring (or any jewelry for that matter).
You can always start with a quote from a jewelry store, diamond buyer, or local pawn shop.
No matter where you end up selling — even if you are not a skilled negotiator, the buyer will typically respond to your suggestion for a higher price. As my mom used to say: They won’t respect you unless you negotiate!
It’s easy to obtain multiple offers from online diamond buyers. Here’s how the process typically works:
Online diamond buyers will ask you for some basic information about your engagement ring, either online or over the phone.
They’ll give you an initial estimate, either via email or over the phone.
A quality online buyer will send a free FedEx, UPS, or USPS mailer that includes insurance (you should be able to track your item all the way to the buyer — and back if you decide not to sell).
The diamond buyer will make a final offer after evaluating your engagement ring in person, which you can accept or reject. Again: negotiate! Many of the top diamond buyers offer payouts within 24 hours or less.
Best places to sell a diamond engagement ring
Based on our criteria and extensive research in the diamond-buying space, we’ve determined these are the four best options for selling your ring, based on what makes the most sense for you:
Pawn shop: Where to sell diamonds for immediate cash
DiamondsUSA: Best place to sell most wedding and engagement rings online
Worthy: Good choice for designer engagement rings
Diamond Banc: Best way to get cash without selling your engagement ring (jewelry loans)
Keep reading to learn about each of these options:
Best place to sell your diamond engagement ring for immediate cash: Local pawn broker near you
Pawnshops can have a bad reputation for paying pennies on the dollar. There are many local pawnbrokers that are honest, reputable business and will pay you a fair price for your diamond — or extend a pawn loan, allowing you to maintain ownership of your diamond and secure a short-term loan if you need money.
Pros:
Immediate cash
Do business with a local company in your community
Possibility of pawn loan
Cons:
Unlikely to get highest price for your engagement ring
Best place to sell most diamond engagement rings: Diamonds USA
Selling your engagement ring to a local jeweler or pawn shop may give you quick cash, which is important to a lot of people. However, local jewelry buyers typically pay less than online buyers — plus also require you to leave your house (annoying), and have a much less private process than online diamond buyers.
DiamondsUSA is one of the best gold and jewelry buyers on the market and buys any and all sizes of gold and diamond jewelry, including lab-grown diamonds. We also like Diamonds USA because:
A+ BBB rating
Payouts within 24 hours of an accepted offer
Fully insured shipments from your home
Guarantee they will beat any written price for your engagement ring
Most other buyers require a minimum size and value of diamond engagement ring or loose diamond, typically .5 carats and $1,000.
These are some recent Diamond USA sales:
January 2024 — White gold engagement ring set with 1.29 carat center stone with a clarity I1 with color J-K w strong fluorescence, paid $1,500:
Image Credit: Diamond USA
January 2024 — 1.16 total carat weight engagement ring set, paid $445:
Image Credit: Diamond USA
January 2024 — 1.78 total carat weight engagement ring set, paid $550:
Image Credit: Diamond USA
January 2024 — 2.89 total carat weight engagement ring set, paid $903:
Image Credit: Diamond USA
DiamondsUSA is also a good option for selling gold and platinum wedding rings. Actually, DiamondsUSA and its sister sites, CashforGoldUSA and CashforSilverUSA, can help you sell the following:
Diamond engagement ring with a center stone of any size
Wedding ring with lots of small diamonds in the setting (known as melee diamonds)
Engagement ring with small diamonds or other gemstones in the setting
All other diamond, gold, gemstone, or even silver jewelry, coins and bullion
Where to sell a designer engagement ring: Worthy
If you have something that’s high value because you have large diamonds or a designer engagement ring (Tiffany & Co, Cartier, Harry Winston, Van Cleef & Arpels, etc.), and you don’t need the money immediately, consider Worthy.
Worthy accepts engagement rings if the largest diamond is at least 0.90 carat in weight and auctions them to a network of more than 1,000 professional buyers.
These are some recent auction payouts for engagement rings on Worthy.com:
October 2024 — 2.27 ct. Round Cut Solitaire Ring, K, SI2, sold for $5708
Image Credit: Worthy
October 2024 — 1.41 ct. Round Cut Solitaire Ring, G, VS2, sold for $2625
Image Credit: Worthy
October 2024 — 0.71 ct. Pear Cut Solitaire Ring, G, SI2, sold for $1000
Image Credit: Worthy
March 2024 — 0.97-1.08 carat princess cut bridal set, sold for $1,450
Image Credit: Worthy
March 2024 — 1.5 carat round cut bridal set, sold for $3,193
Image Credit: Worthy
March 2024 — 2.07 carat round cut solitaire ring, sold for $8,000
Image Credit: Worthy
Check out my Worthy review to learn more about my personal experience selling an engagement ring with the auction platform.
Where to get cash for your engagement ring without selling: Diamond Banc
If you need to get the most money for your engagement ring today, but you don’t really want to sell it, then consider a jewelry loan from Diamond Banc. A jewelry loan allows you to send in your engagement ring (or other jewelry) as collateral against a loan, in exchange for interest.
In all states, any item that was gifted to you, you own. Typically, an engagement ring is a gift from one person to the other — the receiver of the ring in this case has full legal ownership and has the right to sell, trade or trash it.
Should I get my engagement ring appraised before selling?
An appraisal from a local jeweler is useful for insurance resale value, or perhaps to understand the quality of your engagement ring. A lab report can be very helpful in selling your engagement ring, or for getting a loan against your ring, but will cost $100 to $300, so this only makes sense for more valuable items.
How much will I get if I sell my diamond ring? How much is a diamond worth?
The real value in selling your wedding or engagement ring or other jewelry you don’t wear is that it frees up all that negative energy attached to the item, stewing indefinitely in your jewelry box. It felt good to rid my home and mind of that significant marriage memento.
Even if you loved the ring, loved your ex, loved being married, love any kids that came from that union (yes, yes, yes, yes for me), it is time to move on and free the mental energy attached to the ring — not to mention the money!
How much will a jeweler pay for an engagement diamond ring or wedding ring set?
A jeweler will likely pay you anywhere from 5% to 50% of the retail value of your ring, similar to pawn shops. Again, this may be less than what you would get from an online buyer, as a jeweler will have a higher markup. Shop around to ensure you get the best price and always negotiate.
A 1-carat diamond and gold engagement ring will fetch resale prices ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the cut, quality and setting. Platinum setting and large side stones can mean higher prices, as can name brands like Tiffany or Cartier.
Bottom line: Is it worth it to sell an old engagement ring?
A couple years after my divorce, I sold my engagement ring and wedding band at a fine jewelry buyer in New York City, where I lived.
I only received a fraction of what my now ex-husband and I paid for it, but I felt I got a fair price and used the proceeds to fund a trip my kids took to Europe with their dad to visit family — which I felt good about.
You can get a quote for your engagement ring within a day at DiamondsUSA.
How about you? Do you still have your engagement ring? Do you feel you understood the true resale value of your jewelry?
Share in the comments!
Where can I sell my engagement ring for the most money?
Selling your engagement ring to a local jeweler or pawn shop may give you quick cash, which is important to a lot of people. However, brick-and-mortar jewelry buyers typically pay less than online buyers, so I recommend considering a reputable diamond buyer online.
Do engagement rings hold their value?
While over time, diamonds have historically risen in value from a retail price point, do not expect to get your money back on an engagement ring. Typically, resale value of fine gemstone jewelry is one-third to one-half of what you pay for it. Diamond prices have been declining over the past year.
How much can you sell an engagement ring for?
A 1-carat diamond and gold engagement ring will fetch resale prices ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the cut, quality and setting. Large side stones can mean higher prices, as can name brands like Tiffany or Cartier.
How much will a jeweler pay for a diamond ring?
A jeweler will likely pay you anywhere from 20% to 50% of the retail value of your ring. Shop around to ensure you get the best price.
Should you sell your engagement ring?
Overall, I am a huge fan of selling your engagement ring in the event that your relationship ends, and I did so myself. Diamond prices are declining, so best to sell now before your ring is worth less in the future.
If you’re ready to delete dating apps off your phone after years of disastrous dates, or you’re just thinking of dating after divorce, a breakup, a bad dating experience like getting ghosted from someone you felt a connection with, or long, dry spell, a matchmaker can be a great option. In fact, The Wall Street Journal recently reported is matchmaking is soaring in popularity — especially among professional people serious about finding a meaningful, lasting serious relationship.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re interested in hiring a professional matchmaker:
What is a professional matchmaker?
Image Credit: Freepik
Professional matchmakers develop networks of available single people who pay (sometimes both people pay, sometimes just one gender) to be introduced to compatible potential mates. Matchmaking has been around for thousands of years.
What do professional matchers do?
1. The best matchmakers work with a select handful of people at any given time so they can really spend time getting to know you. They work one-on-one with you to learn your likes and dislikes, your lifestyle, your goals, and your preferences in a partner. Expect to go through a long interview process so that the matchmaker can get to know who you are, what you are looking for, and the type of person with whom you may find an emotional, physical, or spiritual connection.
Many services only charge one gender: either only the men pay, and attractive women are recruited to go on dates, free of charge to the woman. Other services offer the reverse, capitalizing on the fear that many women have that “there are few good men out there.”
2. A professional matchmaker will use their proprietary network and the world at large to recruit and source the best matches for you. Matchmakers are constantly recruiting new members — from their social and professional networks, social gatherings, and even approaching attractive people in public places.
3. Matchmakers meet and screen every match face-to-face — essentially going on all the bad first dates for you and allowing you to skip the many “interview questions” required on a typical first date. When they speak to these matches, they’re asking questions about goals, values, personality, the way they raise their children, and what they envision future family looks like. They are asking all the questions you wish you could ask on a first date, only pairing you with the most compatible options.
4. The matchmaker will then present potential dates to you. Depending on the details of the service, you may be sent on a totally blind date, or have a video and other information to review before agreeing to a date.
A qualified matchmaker will set you up with only the matches that are a good use of your time. Those that are compatible, emotionally available, and interested in meeting you.
5. You report back to your Matchmaker after the date. Your feedback helps guide who your Matchmaker looks for next. She will also get feedback from your date, so if there is any intel or constructive feedback she can offer you to help you improve your dating game, she’ll help you navigate that.
How much does it cost to have a matchmaker?
Image Credit: Zyanya Citiali via Unsplash
Matchmaking is not cheap. Typically, matchmaking services cost between $2,000 and $50,000 per engagement and may be based on a fixed amount of time (say, six months or a year), a guaranteed number of dates, or a combination.
Often, the women do not pay to be matched with dates — only the men are paying clients of the matchmaker.
Do matchmaking services work?
Matchmaking services are as old as time, and yes they often are very successful. Larger services like It’s Just Lunch, Tawkify and others post success stories on their site.
Because of the high cost of matchmaking services — often thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars — people who use matchmaking services are often professionals, and they’re likely looking for serious partnership.
Pros of using a professional matchmaking services include:
1. Matchmaking services ensure you are anonymous.
Your picture or any other information is not available online, like in a dating app. This keeps confidential your personal life from clients, colleagues, friends, people you have dated (or were married to!), and your mom :)
2. Professional matchmakers ensure security.
Quality matchmaking services do background checks on and verify the age and marital status of any potential dates.
When kids are in the picture the stakes feel so much higher in bringing a new partner into the fold. If we are dating with the goal of something long-term, it’s so important to meet a partner with aligned values — whether those values are religious, family, political, financial, or anything else.
Often we’re steered away from bringing up these heavy value-related conversations on a first date. So we tread lightly. And then we’re 3 dates in with someone who we finally find we don’t see eye to eye on when it comes to really important stuff.
Matchmakers tend to match based on goals, values, mindsets — all the intangible stuff that you can’t really vet for online or often even on a first or second date. This means you’re only meeting matches who share similar values and goals — which makes bringing them around your kids and family that much less stressful when the time comes.
Especially in services where both parties pay for the services, matchmaking services tend to date people interested in serious connections and long-term relationships, and also tend to be successful and financially stable (a plus of the high fee).
It becomes hard to sift through the many matches on apps to find ones who are actually our speed, who fit into our lifestyle. Using their network and intuition, matchmakers make it their mission to pair you with matches who are actually on the same page as you.
4. Professional matchmaking services help you outsource the search to save time.
Instead of spending countless hours swiping right and left, being ghosted even before a first date (or worse: after a meaningful first or second date including sex), and spending hours getting through the basics on a first meeting, a matchmaker cuts through many hours of work to present you with a solid profile of a potential match.
Matchmaking is a great option for women with little time for themselves. The truth about dating is it requires time — time to source matches, time to vet matches, time to go on a bunch of first dates to find the people worth seeing again. You can spend that time, or you can outsource an expert to spend that time. A matchmaker does all the front-end stages of dating by sourcing, vetting, and setting up first dates with men who are more likely to be a good fit.
5. A professional matchmaker can help you get out of a rut — and start dating anew
Newly divorced or fresh out of a relationship? The dating landscape (and pretty much every other social landscape!) has changed drastically over the past few years. While online dating and apps make it easy to access matches and find a date, it’s a very different world of dating than it was in the past. A professional matchmaker can act as a resource for pretty much all things dating — like having a wingwoman in your back pocket. Having some help navigating the dating scene is a huge ego boost and major relief. A matchmaker can also act as a coach and help you figure out how to become a better dater — and even a stronger partner to your future beau.
Cons of using a matchmaking services include:
Working with a matchmaker can be expensive
Just like in love and war – there are no guarantees, no matter the price
Depending on how the matchmaker works, one gender may be paying, while the other does not pay — which can attract a certain type of date that is not your type (i.e. if men pay but women do not, then that matchmaker service may attract women only seeking affluent men while being themselves golddiggers)
How do I choose a matchmaking service? Questions to ask a professional matchmaker
Image Credit: Shutterstock
What does your price include?
Are there any guarantees?
How do you recruit?
Are both parties paying customers? Or is one gender free?
How do you measure success?
What is your success rate?
Can you introduce me to some past client referrals? I’d like to speak to both men and women.
How do you know the other person is looking for a serious relationship?
What is the interview process?
Do you do background checks? How do you know the other person isn’t married?
How do I know the person isn’t just a golddigger?
What are the typical characteristics of your clients?
Where to find a professional matchmaker
If you Google “professional matchmaker near me,” a list of local matchmaking services will appear. You’ll likely find more options if you live in a bigger city or more populated area.
You can also work with a matchmaker online through a service like Tawkify or It’s Just Lunch.
Matchmaking service reviews
We evaluated each of the following matchmaking services on:
Types of clients they serve
Application process
Reviews from the Better Business Bureau and other third-party review sites
Likelihood of successfully being matched
Here’s how they stacked up:
Executive Matchmakers review
Marketing itself to an affluent audience, Executive Matchmakers’ website says it matches “Bachelors to successful, intelligent, genuine women.”
Since this service targets men, women would need to look into being considered matches by joining the Executive’s Club. Women can join the database at no cost, and Executive Matchmakers says the database is confidential and discreet.
To join the Executive’s Club, women can apply on the company’s website. You’ll need to fill out a form, include recent photos, and interview with the service’s professional staff. If you are matched with a client, additional paperwork and a background check are required.
The service follows a six-step matchmaking process known as its Signature Match.
Initial interview
Client consultation
Personal search
Match selection
Dating
Feedback and review
Pros of this service, for women looking to be matched with its clients, is that Executive Matchmakers uses the initial interview to confirm a man meets certain criteria before he is selected as a client. According to the website, their clients are “regarded for their intelligence, success, and charisma,” and are “highly sought after, commitment-minded men.” Plus, it’s no cost to apply for inclusion in the database.
One con for women is the matchmaking service doesn’t solely draw from its database, so you are competing with a large pool of candidates for selection.
Executive Matchmakers has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, which is a huge step up from its long-time D rating.
Because you as the woman are not actually paying for the matchmaking service, there is no timetable or even guarantee that you will be matched. If you’re looking to find a match or a date instead of waiting for one to find you, this might not be the matchmaking service for you.
It’s Just Lunch review
This matchmaking service touts itself as “your dating concierge” and is available in many different cities.
With that in mind, its Better Business Bureau website rating varies for different cities. Some reviews on the BBB website did have negative opinions on customer service, communication and actual matches, so if you’re thinking of using this service, check out the rating for your city on the BBB first.
For reference, the Washington, DC branch of It’s Just Lunch has an A+ BBB rating, glowing reviews, and a 4.58/5 stars rating.
Image `Credit: Better Business Bureau
According to the It’s Just Lunch website, a membership to the service includes guaranteed matches, personalized attention in addition to other services. It’s Just Lunch also offers a blog with articles including tips from its trained matchmakers. Read our It’s Just Lunch review.
As mentioned above, It’s Just Lunch guaranteed date packages cost around $2,000 to $5,000. “Some It’s Just Lunch locations are independently owned and operated, so prices vary depending on the city our clients live in and the service level they sign up for,” says Camille Kostin, a Matchmaker with It’s Just Lunch Milwaukee.
How does It’s Just Lunch’s service work?
Getting to know you. You’ll get to learn more about the It’s Just Lunch dating process as they learn more about you, your dating history, and what you’re looking for in a potential partner.
Match selection. In this step you’ll learn about the matches chosen for you as well as have the first date set up.
The date. This step is pretty self explanatory!
Sharing feedback. After you’ve gone on your date you’ll share details with your matchmaker. Let them know what you did or didn’t like about the match to help them improve your next match selection.
Pros of It’s Just Lunch include a guarantee of face-to-face dates, full confidentiality and matchmakers who arrange all the date details. And if you find a relationship you want to pursue you can put your membership on hold. On the flip side, reviews on ConsumerAffairs.com say the service can be a bit pricey, and the process can be longer than busy moms may want to commit.
While It’s Just Lunch may have varying reviews, the service has been around for over 30 years. All the matchmakers go through a thorough training program, according to the company’s website. That attention to commitment makes it worth a try.
The League review
The League bills itself as very elite, as it only accepts a small percentage of applicants, making those accepted seem very special indeed. Potential members are approved based on data from their Facebook and LinkedIn profiles, presumably seeking out daters with higher income and education.
The League has a waitlist, and membership costs between $199 and $399 per month — as well as an “Investor” level membership for a $999 one-time fee. It has an A+ rating with the BBB.
The app’s homepage boasts: “Are you told your standards are too high? The League offers to be your well-networked friend who doubles as your wingman,” sussing out good matches for you based on a more discerning set of qualifications than your average dating app. Every member is assigned a “concierge” who promises to help vet matches.
The League is available in cities throughout the United States, as well as Canada, Europe, and major cities in Latin America and Asia-Pacific, and some capital cities in Africa.
The League ups its exclusivity vibe with “groups” based on personal interests, including yachting, golf, international travel, brunch groups and women worried about their fertility!
The app has features not found on other sites including speed dating, a fixed number of supposedly hand-selected matches emailed to you daily (the more you pay for your membership corresponds with more emailed matches), video profiles, video chatting, League Live dating on Sundays, and concierge dating, which is a hybrid of a dating app and matchmaking service.
The League has been criticized for requiring members to disclose their race, and allowing them to screen matches by race, but seems to be making efforts to change that. Also, more recent reports are that the app has loosened its criteria, lowered its prices and even offers a free trial — disqualifying it from being so exclusive.
LUMA Luxury Matchmaking is a professional matchmaking service that helps professionals, executives and millionaires find long-term relationships.
According to its website, LUMA focuses on “human connections and chemistry” to match elite bachelors and bachelorettes. One of its client success stories is Shannon Beader of the “Real Housewives of Orange County.”
After you fill out an application on the LUMA site, you’ll receive an email to schedule a one-on-one meeting call with a matchmaker to share info about yourself and discuss the qualities you want in a partner.
After you’ve met with your matchmaker, you’ll receive a customized plan based on your matchmaking needs and wants. Membership fees range from $0 to $100,000, depending on how specific you want your search criteria to be.
LUMA claims an 83% success rate on its site, based on the number of clients who enter into serious relationships while they’re LUMA members.
LUMA’s matchmaking services include:
An assessment by a professional matchmaker
Access to 50K+ singles (everyone is met with and vetted)
Curated date planning
Coaching and assistance
LUMA also offers date coaching, which teaches you how to dress, what you should talk about and how to put your best foot forward to establish a long-term connection.
LUMA is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has an A+ rating. It has a rating of 4.59 out of 5 stars.
Tawkify bills itself as a personalized matchmaking service — not a dating app. The site has more than 100,000 unpaying members, who are singles considered for dates and matching. Customers, on the other hand, pay a fee, and meet with a concierge matchmaker who personally selects potential matches.
Tawkify promises a personalized experience for members and clients. Client packages start at $4,000 per year, pricing depends on the level of service.
Each customer meets with their concierge, expresses their preferences and dating goals, and then is presented with a list of potential matches. If the member also agrees on a date, the concierge plans and schedules a fun date.
Afterward, feedback from each of you is shared with the other person, and that information is used by Tawkify to connect you with dates going forward.
Tawkify claims that the service works with new clients for six to 12 months, with almost 80% successfully matched in that time.
Tawkify has an A+ rating with the BBB, but has several negative reviews on its profile.
Image `Credit: Better Business Bureau
Image `Credit: Better Business Bureau
Image `Credit: Better Business Bureau
Image `Credit: Better Business Bureau
Image `Credit: Better Business Bureau
Robyn Michaels, a retired dog walker and groomer from the Chicago area, says she’s been disappointed with her experience using Tawkify thus far. She says she paid for nine matches but hasn’t met anyone with whom she’s even remotely compatible.
“I told them I don’t see myself with a professed Christian, and the man had to be a dog lover,” she says. “Also, I would not be matched with someone living over 30 miles from me.”
She said it took two months for her to get her first match and it was with a man who lived over 50 miles away.
“He was a member of a church that proudly sent missionaries to less developed countries. He had a dog as a kid, they never trained it, and they gave it away. I told Tawkify they just picked a warm body and it was unacceptable.”
Three Day Rule review
Using the tag line “An Exclusive Matchmaking Company,” Three Day Rule offers the opportunity to join to use the matchmaking services or to be considered as a match for other Three Day Rule members. On the website you can request a free consultation and also sign up for a premium membership. Three Day Rule also claims to have “one of the largest, most selective networks in the country”.
Three Day Rule offers two membership options:
A minimum of three matches guaranteed over three months for $5,900
A minimum of six matches guaranteed over six months for $9,500
Both memberships include one-to-one matchmaking, photography and coaching.
If you’re not looking to spend that much and have the patience to wait for a match, you can also sign up for free to join the company’s database to be considered as a match for paying clients.
For paying members, the process is similar to other matchmaking services where the first step is an initial interview for the matchmaker to better understand the client and the client’s wants or absolute dealbreakers. Three Day Rule then does a face-to-face pre-screen of potential matches prior to setting clients up with matches.
Unlike other matchmaking service websites, Three Day Rule does not have an About or FAQ section, so if you want answers you’ll have to contact the company directly. The service only focuses on a dozen major U.S. cities, and does claim to serve the LGBTQ+ community.
While not an accredited Better Business Bureau company, Three Day Rule does have a B+ BBB rating. The BBB site only has a few reviews for the matchmaker, some good and some bad.
Image `Credit: Better Business Bureau
Image `Credit: Better Business Bureau
Image `Credit: Better Business Bureau
For an in-depth, first-person overview of Three Day Rule, check out this review from BuzzFeed.
With the membership options available at different price points as well as the opportunity to join the free database, Three Day Rule can be worth a try if you want to test the waters without a long-term commitment.
Bottom line: Are matchmaking services worth it? Actual experiences from those who hired a professional matchmaker …
If you’re fed up with the online dating scene and considering hiring a matchmaker, the process is pretty straightforward.
Tara Goodwin, a divorced mom of two and communications consultant based in Boston, hired a matchmaking service in 2019 after a breakup and several months of poor luck on online dating sites.
“I was ghosted a few times, but I also ended up going out on one date with someone who seemed normal but turned into a stalker when I didn’t want to go out a second time,” she says.
Goodwin hired a Boston matchmaking service called LunchDates after reading positive reviews and scheduled a one-hour meeting with a coach who asked her questions about her personality, dating history and relationship expectations.
It was about two weeks before Goodwin was paired with her first match. She was given a picture and some background information about him, and once she approved, LunchDates set up the date and told her where and when to show up.
In the first six months of using the professional matchmaking service, Goodwin says she went on six dates with different men who were “kind and courteous” but with whom she didn’t connect romantically.
Her luck turned around when she was paired with another matchmaking client, Anthony.
“I agreed to go on the date, and it was the best date I had experienced in a long time,” Goodwin says. “There was definite attraction, and we ‘closed the restaurant.’ I could not have asked for a better match for me.”
The pair have now been together for nearly three years.
Tara Goodwin and her match Anthony.
Olivia Tan, a Florida-based personal finance coach and co-founder of CocoFax, met her husband of four years through a professional matchmaking service, which she chose based on client testimonials.
Tan says her matchmaker conducted thorough background checks, administered personality tests and built psychological profiles of their clients.
“The process was simple, direct, and straightforward,” Tan says. “The support team assisted me to get exactly what I was looking for.”
But not every matchmaking experience has a fairytale ending. Toria Renee, a Chicago-area life coach, tried working with a matchmaker but found the experience superficial.
“We both have someone coaching us separately based on what the other has shared with the matchmaker,” she says. “In some ways, it didn’t feel to me like we were making an authentic connection.”
But Renee says the experience gave her a new perspective on the way she approaches dating.
“The process truly challenges you to take an introspective look at yourself, your belief system and your behavior as it relates to how you show up in relationships, which shapes how we set our standards and choose our mates,” she says.
Conclusion? Matchmakers can be a great way to save time dating, meet quality people and find meaningful partnerships. However, compared with dating apps or meeting through friends or work, matchmakers are very expensive — and there are never any guarantees.
Professional matchmakers develop networks of available single people who pay (sometimes both people pay, sometimes just one gender) to be introduced to compatible potential mates. Matchmaking has been around for thousands of years.
What do professional matchers do?
1. The best matchmakers work with a select handful of people at any given time so they can really spend time getting to know you. 2. A professional matchmaker will use their proprietary network and the world at large to recruit and source the best matches for you. 3. Matchmakers meet and screen every match face-to-face — essentially going on all the bad first dates for you and allowing you to skip the many “interview questions” required on a typical first date. 4. The matchmaker will then present potential dates to you. 5. You report back to your Matchmaker after the date.
How much does matchmaking cost?
Typically, matchmaking services cost between $2,000 and $50,000 per engagement and may be based on a fixed amount of time (say, 6 months or a year), a guaranteed number of dates, or a combination.
Do matchmaking services work?
Matchmaking services are as old as time, and yes they often are very successful. Larger services like It’s Just Lunch, Tawkify and others post success stories on their site.
Who uses matchmaking services?
Because of the high cost of matchmaking services — often thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars — people who use matchmaking services are often professionals, and they’re likely looking for serious partnership.
Are matchmaking services worth it?
Matchmakers can be a great way to save time dating, meet quality people and find meaningful partnerships. However, compared with dating apps or meeting through friends or work, matchmakers are very expensive — and there are never any guarantees.
SOURCES
“Match Introduces a Human Matchmaking Element to Its Dating App” November 18, 2021. The Wall Street Journal https://www.wsj.com/articles/match-introduces-a-human-matchmaking-element-to-its-dating-app-11637269774
If you are like 76% of Americans, you had a new year’s resolution focused on becoming smarter with your finances, according to a survey of 2,000 U.S. adults conducted by OnePoll/SlickDeals1. Unfortunately, history shows many people abandon their money goals early in the year.
If you are not in control of your finances, this affects your family life, because you are stressed, perhaps overworked and distracted worrying about bills. You are more likely to argue with your kids’ dad, which affects your co-parenting.
Money affects the men you seek out and attract — I have heard countless stories of very smart women moving in with all the wrong guys because they were tired of being stressed about rent.
Money affects your physical well being (less money means you are more likely to eat unhealthy food, pass on a gym membership and checkups, and suffer all the negative side effects of anxiety).
When you don’t have enough money, or feel that you don’t have enough money, you lose your power. That’s why you need to make more money!
Image Credit: Getty Images via Unsplash
Practical ways to improve your finances
Here is your guide to locking down some practical financial resolutions, sticking to those goals, and upleveling into 2025 and beyond!
When you are broke, or want more money for whatever reason, the first and natural thing to do is slash expenses. That is great, and you should do that. But the best and biggest way to have more in your pocket is to earn more. After all, If you focus on clipping $1 coupons for paper towels, the best you can do is saving $1. If you focus on earning and growing your career, the sky is the limit!
Building a career or business is the best thing you can do for your finances, your mental health, your parenthood and your future!
2. Maximize investing — on every single-mom budget
Saving money is so awesome, but investing is where the juice is. After all, if you park all you savings in a checking account, or a low-earning savings account at your local bank (as most are these days), your hard-earned money will be flat year after year. Meanwhile, inflation means the cost keeping yourself and your children alive goes up 2 to 4 percent each year.
Nevermind that you likely want to grow your quality of life, too!
For single moms new to diversifying their investment portfolio, adding physical assets like Eagle gold coins can be a practical way to hedge against inflation and build long-term wealth. These gold bullion coins are highly recognized and easily resold, making them an attractive option for those looking to secure their financial future.
In other words, if you don’t actively invest and grow your money, you are actually losing money.
You don’t understand the stock market? Feel intimidated and stupid when it comes to investing (even though you are smart, successful and confident in the rest of your life)?
Here’s how to get started:
Establish financial goals
Make long-term financial goals: pay off debt, save for a home, retire
Make short-term financial goals: pay off small sums of debt, create a budget, refinance larger loans, make a purchase like a home repair or vacation
Make a plan to fund these goals (including growing your income, as well as living on a budget) A side gig or passive income stream could help you get there.
Open your own investment account or see what your employer offers
Employer-sponsored plans — this is a retirement fund or heal savings account through your job
Self-employed accounts — a self-employed 401k, a cash balance pension fund or an IRA that self-employed workers establish and fund
Brokerage accounts — this might be through a brokerage like Fidelity or T. Rowe Price where you buy and sell equities. It is not typically tax-advantaged
Create a retirement plan
According to investment advice site the Motley Fool, you’ll need 80% of your preretirement income to survive. So if you earn $80,000 a year by the time you retire, then you’ll need $64,000 to make it once you stop working. That translates to about $5,333 per month.
Fidelity recommends setting aside at least 15% of your pretax income, which sounds like a lot. If you’re still in the process of building your career, saving 10% should do the trick. But as your income increases, so should your retirement savings goals.
Seek out expert help. Nonprofit organizations like Savvy Ladies, a free financial helpline, can answer questions about financial planning and connect you to financial resources.
If you need help preparing your financial future, check out the free tools offered by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. This site offers info on investing, financial calculators, tips to protect your investments, and more.
3. Protect your family with insurance
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This post is designed to free you from worry: worry about making rent, worry about whether your car will break down and you won’t have enough cash to make repairs, worry that you will be stuck in debt forever.
A big part of building your wealth is protecting it. That’s why it’s so important to invest in reliable insurance coverage — for your home, your valuable possessions, your car, and more.
But even if you have all of those items covered, that doesn’t mean you won’t worry. You know why not? Because you are a mom.
Moms worry. We do.
But I can help you reduce your worry, including that horrible fear that something will happen to you, and as a single mom, you are your kids’ primary caregiver.
Life insurance is a big piece of this mom-worry therapy. With enough life insurance, you can rest easy that your children can be cared for financially in the event that you pass.
Reducing your credit card, medical, student and car loans means fewer bills, less money wasted on interest rates, and more money to save or invest.
Improving your credit score and history means more options and more control: With a high credit score you can get a car note, qualify for a mortgage, business or student loan — all of which could dramatically improve your family’s lives.
Many people take advantage of auto loan refinancing to get a lower payment.
5. Slash spending and get that single mom budget together
Here is something surprising I recently learned about myself:
The higher my income, the greater my net worth, the less stuff I want.
Yes, I enjoy a beautiful home, nice clothes and jewelry, and enjoy good food. But the fewer items I own, the happier I am.
Treating yourself to heirloom-quality jewelry can be both financially wise and emotionally empowering. Consider adding a timeless piece, such as a ruby ring, which symbolizes passion, courage, and prosperity. If you’re interested in exploring elegant, handcrafted options made specifically for women, shop ruby rings here and discover styles that blend beauty with lasting value.
I like my closets and drawers and cupboards occupied only by items I use and enjoy.
Virtually all of us have things lying around the house that we don’t want or need anymore, but that we never actually get rid of. Instead of letting that garbage clutter your home, why not sell it to earn money that you can put to use hitting your other financial goals?
Also consider selling jewelry and sterling silver, coins and diamonds. With gold and silver near historical highs, now is a great time to think about selling your old or broken gold jewelry, coins, dental scrap, etc. I recommend CashforGoldUSA, an online gold buyer known for paying top dollar within 24 hours of receiving your gold, which has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
7. Start an emergency fund
Image Credit: diwdom5355 via Freepik
Do you have at least 3 months’ living expenses in a savings account? No? Create a plan to build up a cash account that will save your butt in the event of unemployment, a natural disaster or otherwise being displaced, a major medical event or any other unforeseen financial event. Even a car repair can undo you, financially.
Set a goal of saving $500 in a dedicated savings account that is only for emergencies. Then work on building that up to $1,000, and then $2,000. Keep going until you’ve got between 3 and 6 months’ worth of expenses set aside. This will keep you covered in the event that you ever lose your job, need a car or home repair, face a medical emergency, or need to bail yourself out of jail in Guatemala (ha!).
The value of this savings account is one part practical, one part emotional (you will feel better each and every day knowing this money is safe and available), and one part spiritual. After all, you make better, wiser decisions from a place of power when you are not afraid. Money in the bank relieves fear.
8. Change your single-mom money mindset
Image Credit: Shutterstock
The most important thing you can do to change your financial life, is change your financial mind.
How and what you think and believe establishes what happens in your bank account.
The first and most critical step to earning more, saving more, investing more, spending and stressing less about money, is to renovate what happens between your ears.
If you are stuck in broke, there are likely limiting beliefs specific to single motherhood that are spiraling in your mind. I have struggled with many of these, and have heard time and again (and again!) from moms on this blog and social media.
I’m a single mom, and single moms are broke. Of course I’m poor!
Reality: Yes, statistically, single moms are poorer than married moms. But, you are likely telling yourself that story (and it is indeed a story) based on decades of media portrayal of single mothers as downtrodden, struggling floozies, politicians who blame unmarried mothers as the source of all social ills.
There are also countless stories of both down-and-out married moms, as well as thriving, affluent, self-made single moms.
The beauty of living in 2025 as a woman is that compared with the sexism our grandmothers and even mothers faced, we have endless opportunities to earn and invest.
Here is a common money story single moms tell themselves:
No more “I need to sacrifice and struggle and overcompensate for the fact that my children are from a broken home.”
Reality: What’s with the martyr syndrome, mama? Not a good look! Focus on earning big, spending little, and maximizing quality time with your kids. Studies find that financial stability and a thriving mom are two of the biggest factors when it comes to child development.
Other ways to improve your money relationship: stop overspending on your kids (they really don’t need much), and focus on creating positive relationships for your kids, yourself and the whole family. Kids thrive not because their home looks like the Cleavers, but because they are safe, cared for, understood. You can control all of that, but first you have to decide to do those things.
Write down where these ideas came from. Who told you you are bad with money, or that you have to martyr yourself? What was your earliest memories of a single mom? Was she thriving, or struggling?
Get therapy if you want. No shame at all! Online therapy is a great option, especially for busy single moms, since online counseling apps like BetterHelp allow you to choose from thousands of certified, licensed counselors, totally anonymously.
Think about who your support system is. Do these people set big goals, and actively work towards them? Do they support your dreams and goals? Even the wonderful people who love you most may not be your money tribe. You can meet and be inspired by other, big-thinking and ambitious single moms who will change your paradigm at Facebook.com/groups/millionairesinglemoms.
Avoid temptation to focus on getting more alimony or child support — which are finite, negative and ultimately hold you back. Instead, my research found that moms who share parenting time equally are more likely to earn more, and feel better about being a mom.
9. Focus on money role modeling for your kids
Image Credit: Shutterstock
Like it or not, your kids are watching. Lecture them all the livelong day about the importance of saving, budgets and investing, but if your children see you live beyond your means and spend frivolously, one of two things will happen:
They will repeat your bad habits, or
They will grow up to have better money habits, and resent your bad ones. Especially if you are now financially dependent on your kids because of those bad habits, which they now feel pressure to care for.
Instead, involve your kids on your money journey. Set them up on an allowance system.
In this post, I elaborate here on what we do at my house, with spend/save/give jars, as well as a guide to teaching kids about money.
Talk to them about the importance of money for security, including all kinds of insurance policies.
Set a family money goal — say, an ice skating outing (which my kids have been nagging me about for weeks). If the event costs $50, find ways to save money (sell unused items, skipping a weekly ice cream treat), to save up.
Get creative, and pay attention to what excites your kids — and you!
When my friend Blake was growing up, his family made a game of seeing how low they could get the monthly electric bill. This is something I think will go over well at my house, as both my son and I are passionate about green living.
Not only do these measures teach your kids important, core skills, but it keeps you motivated and on-track, too.
Plus, it relieves guilt, since you know you should be a good money role model for your kids.
10. Open a retirement account
Once your short-term savings are firm and your debt is being managed, start planning for longer-term goals, including retirement.
The good news is that there are a lot of different types of retirement plans to consider. If you’re currently employed, you may be eligible to participate in a 401(k), 403(b), or SIMPLE IRA offered by your employer. As a bonus, many employers match a certain percentage of your contributions each year, which is essentially free money. But even if you’re self-employed, you have options in the form of a Roth IRA or SEP IRA.
11. Invest for your other goals
If you’ve crossed off everything else in this list and still have some money to put to use, a brokerage account from a company like Vanguard or Fidelity will help you save for other investment goals: a down payment for a house, your child’s college education, or starting a business. You can invest in these accounts in index funds, mutual funds or bonds. But with high interest rates, a savings account or CD might be a safer and more lucrative option for these goals.
The biggest obstacles to building wealth are bad daily habits and your mindset—things you can change with regular, dedicated practice.
I put together a 52-week money challenge to help single moms like you learn to control spending, start saving and investing, and turn around your debt and credit score.
If you’re ready to revolutionize your finances — save more, earn more, and spend less — sign up here:
SOURCES
“Seventy-six Percent of Americans Resolve to be Smarter With Their Finances in 2022, According to Survey Commissioned by Slickdeals,” Dec. 21, 2021 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/seventy-six-percent-of-americans-resolve-to-be-smarter-with-their-finances-in-2022-according-to-survey-commissioned-by-slickdeals-301449006.html
Image Credit: Shutterstock
The analysis from Homebase focused on wage data from May 2024 through January 2025, covering more than 5.4 million hourly positions across the country. For each state, the single hourly job with the biggest pay advantage over the national average was identified. The difference was calculated by comparing the state’s hourly pay to the national average for that same role.
Paychecks aren’t equal across the map. In some states, a job that pays modestly nationwide suddenly jumps into a much higher bracket. These wage differences usually come down to demand, shortages, or regional costs of living. By looking at state-level pay against national averages, you can spot where certain careers stretch a lot further than you might expect.
1. Alabama
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Job title: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
National average hourly wage: $19.84
Alabama average hourly wage: $25.22
Percentage difference: 27.1%
Alabama’s top-paying hourly role is in healthcare, where certified nursing assistants are pulling in nearly 30% more than the national norm. With an aging population and a shortage of trained workers, CNAs here are vital in long-term care facilities and hospitals. The extra pay reflects both the demand and the strain on the system.
For anyone considering the field, CNA work is a tough but steady path. Many use it as a stepping stone toward higher licenses, but even at this level the pay in Alabama is competitive compared with other states.
2. Alaska
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Job title: Veterinary Technician
National average hourly wage: $22.25
Alaska average hourly wage: $30.99
Percentage difference: 39.3%
Animals are big business in Alaska, from sled dogs to livestock. That shows up in wages for vet techs, who earn nearly 40% more than the national average. Distance plays a role too as there are fewer clinics spread across wide areas, the people who take on this work cover a broader scope of duties than they might elsewhere.
For workers drawn to animal care, the job combines decent pay with a unique lifestyle. It’s also one of the careers where the high cost of living in Alaska is partly offset by stronger-than-average hourly wages.
3. Arizona
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Job title: Security Guard
National average hourly wage: $20.62
Arizona average hourly wage: $25.38
Percentage difference: 23.1%
In Arizona, security guard work pays off better than almost anywhere else. Expanding cities like Phoenix and Tucson have fueled demand for guards across shopping centers, events, and private communities. The added need pushes wages more than 20% above the national baseline.
It’s not glamorous work, but it’s steady. For many, it offers an entry point into law enforcement or private security fields while paying more competitively than in other parts of the country.
4. Arkansas
Image Credit: Shutterstock
Job title: Physical Therapy Assistant
National average hourly wage: $32.29
Arkansas average hourly wage: $37.99
Percentage difference: 17.7%
Arkansas pays physical therapy assistants well above the national average, reflecting high demand in both urban and rural areas. PTAs help patients recover from injury and surgery, which is critical in a state with significant healthcare needs and fewer specialists than larger metro areas.
The role offers a reliable paycheck and close interaction with patients. It also provides a stepping stone into higher-earning therapy positions, making it appealing for people interested in growing a healthcare career without starting with a four-year degree.
5. California
Image credit: nastiia nikitenko via Unsplash
Job title: Med Spa Nurse
National average hourly wage: $29.59
California average hourly wage: $43.28
Percentage difference: 46.3%
California’s booming cosmetic and wellness industry has pushed med spa nursing wages to nearly half again the national level. From Botox to laser treatments, demand for these services continues to grow, particularly in major metro areas like Los Angeles and San Francisco.
The field blends healthcare training with a lifestyle-focused niche, giving nurses the chance to earn strong wages while working outside traditional hospital settings. The big pay gap highlights how consumer demand drives earnings in California.
6. Colorado
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Job title: Delivery Driver
National average hourly wage: $18.45
Colorado average hourly wage: $26.21
Percentage difference: 42.1%
In Colorado, delivery drivers take home significantly more than the national average. The surge of e-commerce and the challenge of covering long distances in mountainous terrain both contribute to higher wages in the state.
For workers with a clean driving record and a willingness to put in long hours, this is steady, well-paying work. As home delivery continues to grow, the pay gap between Colorado and the rest of the country may remain wide.
7. Connecticut
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Job title: Childcare Worker
National average hourly wage: $15.93
Connecticut average hourly wage: $20.77
Percentage difference: 30.4%
Childcare is expensive everywhere, but in Connecticut the wages for childcare workers are notably higher than the national average. Families in the state often have both parents working, creating constant demand for reliable childcare support. That demand has pushed wages higher than most parts of the country.
Although the work can be demanding and sometimes underappreciated, the pay bump in Connecticut makes it a more sustainable career compared with many other states, where childcare wages still lag behind the cost of living.
8. Delaware
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Job title: Fitness Instructor
National average hourly wage: $26.20
Delaware average hourly wage: $40.00
Percentage difference: 52.7%
Fitness instructors in Delaware earn an eye-catching premium, more than 50% above the national rate. That spike reflects strong demand for wellness services in a smaller state with a dense population. People continue to invest in fitness, even during economic downturns, and instructors benefit from that consistency.
The job provides flexibility, with opportunities in gyms, studios, and private coaching. For those who enjoy active work and helping others stay healthy, Delaware offers unusually high rewards for the field.
9. Florida
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Job title: Childcare Worker
National average hourly wage: $15.93
Florida average hourly wage: $19.11
Percentage difference: 19.9%
Florida’s large and growing population means childcare jobs are plentiful, and wages sit nearly 20% above the national benchmark. The state’s mix of working families and retirees who often rely on childcare services for grandchildren has helped keep the field steady.
While the pay difference isn’t as dramatic as some states, the combination of higher-than-average wages and constant demand makes childcare a dependable role here.
10. Georgia
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Job title: Fabricator
National average hourly wage: $21.57
Georgia average hourly wage: $27.03
Percentage difference: 25.3%
Georgia’s manufacturing and industrial sectors give fabricators strong opportunities, with wages more than 25% higher than the national norm. Fabricators cut, shape, and assemble metal and other materials, a skill set in demand across industries from construction to aerospace.
The role offers hands-on work with steady pay, making it attractive for people who prefer a trade that provides tangible results and consistent job opportunities.
11. Hawaii
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Job title: Barista
National average hourly wage: $15.55
Hawaii average hourly wage: $19.10
Percentage difference: 22.8%
In Hawaii, even coffee work comes with a higher paycheck. Baristas make nearly a quarter more than the national average, partly because of the state’s high cost of living and heavy reliance on the tourism industry. With visitors fueling constant demand for cafés, skilled baristas can command stronger wages.
It’s not a career that makes headlines, but for many locals and seasonal workers, the pay boost helps offset Hawaii’s famously steep expenses.
12. Idaho
Image Credit: Getty Images via Unsplash
Job title: Limo/Town Car Driver
National average hourly wage: $18.79
Idaho average hourly wage: $22.65
Percentage difference: 20.5%
Chauffeur work tops Idaho’s list, with limo and town car drivers earning over 20% more than the national standard. Tourism and business travel create steady demand for private transportation in the state, especially in growing cities like Boise.
Janitors and maintenance workers in Illinois earn a healthy premium, more than a third above the national figure. The state’s large number of schools, offices, and industrial buildings creates steady demand for maintenance staff.
It’s often overlooked as a career, but the numbers here highlight how essential these roles are in keeping workplaces and public facilities running smoothly.
14. Indiana
Image Credit: Shutterstock
Job title: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
National average hourly wage: $19.84
Indiana average hourly wage: $26.71
Percentage difference: 34.6%
In Indiana, CNAs bring in pay that’s more than a third higher than the national average. Nursing homes and hospitals lean heavily on CNAs to cover basic patient care, and the state’s workforce shortages have translated into stronger wages.
For many workers, this entry-level healthcare job offers both security and a chance to move into higher-paying roles with additional training.
15. Iowa
Image Credit: Shutterstock
Job title: Data Entry Clerk
National average hourly wage: $20.22
Iowa average hourly wage: $27.28
Percentage difference: 34.9%
Iowa’s standout is data entry work, which pays more than a third above the national rate. Businesses across the state rely on clerks to manage records, handle administrative tasks, and process information accurately.
The role may not require advanced credentials, but the higher pay makes it a stable and practical option for workers with strong attention to detail and computer skills.
16. Kansas
Image credit: Miyah Blish via Unsplash
Job title: Florist
National average hourly wage: $18.13
Kansas average hourly wage: $28.80
Percentage difference: 58.9%
Kansas stands out with florists earning close to 60% more than the national average. Weddings, events, and local shops keep floral design in demand, and fewer competitors in smaller markets can push wages higher.
For creative workers who enjoy hands-on artistry, Kansas shows that floristry can be more than a passion project, it can also be a well-compensated trade.
17. Kentucky
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Job title: Hotel Housekeeper
National average hourly wage: $17.57
Kentucky average hourly wage: $22.92
Percentage difference: 30.4%
Tourism and hospitality give Kentucky’s hotel housekeepers an edge, with wages coming in about 30% higher than the national baseline. From Louisville’s growing convention business to the state’s famous bourbon trail, the demand for clean, well-kept hotels is constant.
The work is physically demanding, but the numbers show it can be rewarding too, especially in a region where hotel stays continue to rise year after year.
18. Louisiana
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Job title: Dispatcher
National average hourly wage: $21.16
Louisiana average hourly wage: $27.65
Percentage difference: 30.6%
Dispatchers in Louisiana, particularly in transportation and emergency services, earn a premium compared with the rest of the country. The state’s reliance on shipping, trucking, and energy means communication hubs are busy and well-compensated.
Behind the scenes, dispatchers keep the wheels turning, whether it’s cargo moving along the Mississippi, or emergency services reaching people in need and the pay reflects that responsibility.
19. Maine
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Job title: Security Guard
National average hourly wage: $20.62
Maine average hourly wage: $27.44
Percentage difference: 33.1%
Maine’s security guards earn roughly a third more than the national average. The state’s tourism industry, along with healthcare and education sectors, creates steady demand for on-site security staff.
It’s not flashy work, but in Maine, it’s stable and pays better than many other hourly roles. For those looking for reliability, it’s a strong option.
20. Maryland
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Job title: Janitor/Maintenance
National average hourly wage: $18.01
Maryland average hourly wage: $27.09
Percentage difference: 50.5%
Maryland stands out for how well it compensates janitors and maintenance workers. With wages more than 50% above the national figure, the state recognizes the importance of keeping schools, government buildings, and businesses operating smoothly.
Often undervalued, this work becomes much more appealing when paired with higher pay and the job stability that comes from being indispensable in every sector.
21. Massachusetts
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Job title: Waiter/Waitress
National average hourly wage: $16.02
Massachusetts average hourly wage: $24.29
Percentage difference: 51.6%
In Massachusetts, waiting tables is far more lucrative than the national average, thanks to a combination of strong tipping culture and higher menu prices. With Boston’s restaurant scene and a steady stream of visitors, servers are earning wages that put them near the top of the state’s hourly jobs list.
It’s proof that service jobs can look very different depending on where you live. In Massachusetts, waiting tables isn’t just a side gig as it can be a solid paycheck.
22. Michigan
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Job title: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
National average hourly wage: $19.84
Michigan average hourly wage: $28.23
Percentage difference: 42.3%
Healthcare support workers, especially CNAs, earn well above national levels in Michigan. The state’s aging population and hospital demand ensure CNAs remain vital and well-compensated, with pay more than 40% higher than the U.S. average.
For many, this role is also a stepping stone toward more advanced nursing positions, giving it both stability and upward mobility.
23. Minnesota
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Job title: Caregiver
National average hourly wage: $15.84
Minnesota average hourly wage: $23.07
Percentage difference: 45.7%
Caregivers in Minnesota earn nearly half again the national average, reflecting the state’s investment in elder care and disability support services. Families and facilities rely heavily on these workers, and the pay reflects both the demand and the essential nature of the work.
Though emotionally demanding, the job provides a steady income and a clear sense of purpose for those who choose it.
24. Mississippi
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Job title: Waiter/Waitress
National average hourly wage: $16.02
Mississippi average hourly wage: $22.09
Percentage difference: 37.8%
Servers in Mississippi enjoy pay nearly 40% higher than the national standard, which might come as a surprise in a state with a lower overall cost of living. Local restaurants, casinos, and tourism spots drive that higher earning potential.
While the hours can be long and the work unpredictable, the financial upside is clear for those who thrive in hospitality.
25. Missouri
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Job title: Childcare Worker
National average hourly wage: $15.93
Missouri average hourly wage: $20.67
Percentage difference: 29.8%
Childcare workers in Missouri earn close to 30% above the national average. Families across the state depend on affordable, reliable care, and wages have risen to reflect that reliance. It highlights how even traditionally low-paid roles can see significant boosts in certain states.
Though often overlooked as a career path, childcare here pays competitively enough to make it a realistic long-term option for many workers.
26. Montana
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Job title: Laborer
National average hourly wage: $18.42
Montana average hourly wage: $25.12
Percentage difference: 36.4%
Montana pays general laborers well above the national figure, which may reflect the state’s reliance on physical trades and outdoor industries. With construction, ranching, and seasonal projects, reliable hands are always in demand.
The job is tough and often outdoors in challenging conditions, but the higher wages make it a viable option for those who prefer physical work over desk jobs.
27. Nebraska
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Job title: Housekeeper
National average hourly wage: $17.57
Nebraska average hourly wage: $21.90
Percentage difference: 24.7%
Nebraska’s housekeeping staff earn almost a quarter more than the national average. Hotels, hospitals, and assisted living facilities all keep steady demand for this work, and higher wages help with retention in a competitive labor market.
It’s a steady paycheck that doesn’t require advanced training, which makes it accessible for many workers entering or reentering the job market.
28. Nevada
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Job title: Bartender
National average hourly wage: $16.49
Nevada average hourly wage: $21.40
Percentage difference: 29.8%
No surprise here: bartenders in Nevada earn nearly 30% above the national average. Las Vegas, Reno, and the state’s many resort towns create nonstop demand for skilled bartenders who can handle busy shifts and high-end service.
For those comfortable with late nights and fast-paced environments, bartending in Nevada can be a highly profitable gig.
29. New Hampshire
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Job title: Dishwasher
National average hourly wage: $14.83
New Hampshire average hourly wage: $20.07
Percentage difference: 35.3%
Dishwashers don’t usually top pay charts, but in New Hampshire the role pays over a third more than the national average. Strong restaurant demand and fewer available workers mean wages have been pushed higher to attract staff.
It’s not glamorous work, but it’s steady, and the higher pay makes it a better deal here than in most of the country.
30. New Jersey
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Job title: Caregiver
National average hourly wage: $15.84
New Jersey average hourly wage: $23.82
Percentage difference: 50.4%
New Jersey caregivers earn more than 50% above the national average, a striking difference that reflects both the cost of living and demand for home health and eldercare. Families and agencies compete for trained workers, and wages have risen accordingly.
The work is demanding but meaningful, and in New Jersey it comes with financial compensation that makes it more sustainable long term.
31. New Mexico
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Job title: Veterinary Technician
National average hourly wage: $22.25
New Mexico average hourly wage: $27.80
Percentage difference: 25.0%
In New Mexico, veterinary technicians make a solid 25% more than the national average. The wide rural areas and the state’s strong ranching culture mean both pets and livestock require constant care. That translates into higher wages for those with the skills to provide it.
For people who love working with animals, this is a job that combines passion with financial reward, especially in a state where veterinary services are stretched thin.
32. New York
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Job title: Teacher’s Aide
National average hourly wage: $16.27
New York average hourly wage: $24.15
Percentage difference: 48.4%
Teacher’s aides in New York are earning nearly half again the national average. With large class sizes and a strong union presence, support staff in schools are compensated more competitively here than in much of the country.
The role provides steady hours tied to the school calendar and benefits from the state’s investment in public education, making it a stable choice for those interested in working with children.
33. North Carolina
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Job title: Caregiver
National average hourly wage: $15.84
North Carolina average hourly wage: $21.28
Percentage difference: 34.4%
Caregivers in North Carolina earn over a third more than the national figure. With a growing retiree population and many families relying on in-home support, demand for caregiving work has risen quickly, pushing wages upward.
The work can be emotionally challenging, but it offers steady employment and makes a clear difference in people’s lives, which adds meaning alongside the paycheck.
34. North Dakota
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Job title: Construction Worker
National average hourly wage: $22.11
North Dakota average hourly wage: $30.85
Percentage difference: 39.6%
Construction workers in North Dakota take home almost 40% more than the national average. Ongoing energy projects and infrastructure needs keep demand high, and the smaller labor pool drives wages upward.
It’s demanding work in tough weather, but the state’s reliance on construction means steady jobs and paychecks for those willing to take it on.
35. Ohio
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Job title: Customer Service Representative
National average hourly wage: $18.57
Ohio average hourly wage: $24.31
Percentage difference: 30.9%
Ohio’s customer service reps are earning nearly a third more than the national figure. The state’s mix of call centers, financial firms, and healthcare companies means these roles remain essential across industries.
For workers with strong communication skills, the job offers solid pay without advanced training, making it a dependable option in the region.
36. Oklahoma
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Job title: Server
National average hourly wage: $16.02
Oklahoma average hourly wage: $21.36
Percentage difference: 33.4%
Servers in Oklahoma make more than a third above the national average. Between a steady flow of travelers on the interstate system and the state’s lively dining scene, there’s constant demand for restaurant staff.
It’s fast-paced work, but the higher wages here make it worthwhile for those who thrive in hospitality.
37. Oregon
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Job title: Dishwasher
National average hourly wage: $14.83
Oregon average hourly wage: $21.39
Percentage difference: 44.3%
Dishwashers in Oregon earn nearly 45% more than the national figure, a reflection of the state’s strong restaurant and café culture. Portland in particular has a booming food scene, and kitchens need reliable staff to keep running smoothly.
Though often considered entry-level, in Oregon the pay helps make this role a viable job choice rather than just a stopgap.
38. Pennsylvania
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Job title: Medical Assistant
National average hourly wage: $20.19
Pennsylvania average hourly wage: $27.04
Percentage difference: 33.9%
Medical assistants in Pennsylvania earn about one-third more than the national rate. The state’s large network of hospitals, clinics, and specialty practices keeps these roles in high demand. From Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, healthcare systems lean heavily on assistants for both clinical and administrative support.
It’s a job that doesn’t require years of schooling but provides steady pay and a clear path to grow into other healthcare careers.
39. Rhode Island
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Job title: Bartender
National average hourly wage: $16.49
Rhode Island average hourly wage: $22.46
Percentage difference: 36.2%
Bartenders in Rhode Island are making more than a third above the U.S. average. Tourism along the coast and a strong restaurant scene in Providence keep business brisk year-round. High turnover in the industry also means employers often boost wages to hold onto experienced staff.
It’s late-night, customer-facing work, but the higher paychecks in Rhode Island make it an appealing gig for many.
40. South Carolina
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Job title: Cook
National average hourly wage: $17.45
South Carolina average hourly wage: $23.05
Percentage difference: 32.1%
South Carolina’s cooks earn over 30% more than the national average, thanks to the state’s busy hospitality industry. Charleston in particular has a booming dining scene that keeps kitchens fully staffed and pay rates higher than the national norm.
For those willing to handle the heat and pressure of a kitchen, the job here pays better than most places in the country and offers plenty of opportunities to grow into higher-end culinary roles.
41. South Dakota
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Job title: Cashier
National average hourly wage: $14.19
South Dakota average hourly wage: $18.93
Percentage difference: 33.4%
Cashiers in South Dakota earn about a third more than the national average. With fewer workers to cover retail jobs in a sparsely populated state, wages are pushed upward to attract and retain staff. Local stores, supermarkets, and gas stations all rely heavily on this role.
It’s still entry-level work, but the higher hourly rate makes a noticeable difference compared with other parts of the country.
42. Tennessee
Image Credit: Getty Images via Unsplash
Job title: Customer Service Representative
National average hourly wage: $18.57
Tennessee average hourly wage: $23.64
Percentage difference: 27.3%
Customer service representatives in Tennessee are paid more than a quarter above the national rate. With call centers, healthcare providers, and banks all clustered in the state, employers compete for people who can handle high call volumes and client needs.
For workers with solid communication skills, this role offers better pay in Tennessee than in most other regions.
43. Texas
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Job title: Delivery Driver
National average hourly wage: $18.45
Texas average hourly wage: $25.27
Percentage difference: 36.9%
Texas has one of the largest networks of delivery routes in the country, and drivers here earn nearly 37% more than the national figure. From booming e-commerce to sprawling metro areas, the need for reliable drivers keeps wages high.
It’s demanding work in terms of hours and traffic, but the pay gap shows why many stick with it long term.
44. Utah
Image Credit: Shutterstock
Job title: Security Guard
National average hourly wage: $20.62
Utah average hourly wage: $26.59
Percentage difference: 28.9%
Utah’s rapid growth has meant more malls, schools, and offices needing security, and guards here earn almost 30% more than the U.S. average. The role ranges from monitoring cameras to patrolling large campuses.
It’s not always easy work, but the higher pay in Utah shows just how much demand has grown alongside population increases.
45. Vermont
Image credit: Cams Campbell via Unsplash
Job title: Bartender
National average hourly wage: $16.49
Vermont average hourly wage: $23.65
Percentage difference: 43.4%
Bartenders in Vermont earn well above the national norm, with wages nearly 45% higher. The state’s vibrant craft beer and tourism scene helps fuel steady demand, especially in ski towns and college areas.
For those who enjoy the social side of the job, the higher paychecks make bartending here a strong option.
46. Virginia
Image Credit: Shutterstock
Job title: Server
National average hourly wage: $16.02
Virginia average hourly wage: $21.60
Percentage difference: 34.8%
Servers in Virginia earn nearly 35% more than the national figure. With Washington D.C. commuters, tourists, and a strong local dining culture, restaurants across the state keep demand for experienced servers high.
Though the hours can be irregular, the pay gap makes hospitality work in Virginia more rewarding than in many other regions.
47. Washington
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Job title: Laborer
National average hourly wage: $18.42
Washington average hourly wage: $27.45
Percentage difference: 49.1%
General laborers in Washington earn close to 50% above the national average. From construction to agriculture, the state’s industries rely heavily on physical workforces, and higher pay helps fill the demand.
It’s physically taxing, but the money here makes it much more appealing than similar jobs in other states.
48. West Virginia
Image Credit: Shutterstock
Job title: Janitor/Maintenance
National average hourly wage: $18.01
West Virginia average hourly wage: $25.23
Percentage difference: 40.1%
Janitorial and maintenance staff in West Virginia earn about 40% more than the national average. Schools, public buildings, and private businesses all rely on them daily, and wages have climbed to reflect the need.
It’s steady, behind-the-scenes work that often doesn’t get much attention, but in West Virginia, it pays considerably better than in most states.
49. Wisconsin
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Job title: Caregiver
National average hourly wage: $15.84
Wisconsin average hourly wage: $22.28
Percentage difference: 40.7%
Caregivers in Wisconsin take home more than 40% above the national average. The state’s aging population and emphasis on community-based care have boosted demand and wages in the sector.
Though the work is demanding, both physically and emotionally, the higher pay in Wisconsin makes it a sustainable path for many.
50. Wyoming
Image Credit: Getty Images via Unsplash
Job title: Cook
National average hourly wage: $17.45
Wyoming average hourly wage: $25.88
Percentage difference: 48.2%
Cooks in Wyoming are earning nearly 50% more than the U.S. average. Restaurants serving both locals and tourists in places like Jackson Hole and Yellowstone keep kitchens busy and wages higher than expected for the role.
While the pace is tough, the strong earnings make kitchen work a realistic and rewarding job choice here.
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Parenting after 18 is less about control and more about connection. Grown kids want steady support, not surprise fixes. Small, respectful habits matter more than grand gestures. When in doubt, slow down, ask a curious question, and keep the door open. A few research‑backed anchors below can help you steer without pushing.
1. Respect for Their Choices
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They’ll pick careers, partners, cities, and timelines you wouldn’t. Just like you probably did when you were a young adult and your parents were giving you the side-eye. My choices were so radically different from my family that they actually cut me off. Don’t be like them.
Respect keeps the relationship breathable. Ask what matters to them before you offer advice, and practice saying, “I’m rooting for you.” For a sanity check on healthy expectations and boundaries with grown kids, browse AARP’s practical family relationship guidance. You don’t have to agree with every choice to show respect, and you’ll be invited into more conversations when you do.
2. Listening Without Fixing
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Most adults want to be heard, not handled. Try, “Do you want ideas, or just a listening ear?” Then follow their answer. Reflect back the headline and one feeling you heard. If you need a quick refresher on technique, the APA dictionary explains the basics of active listening in plain language. Advice lands better when it follows real listening.
3. Clear, Kind Boundaries
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Healthy families use fences, not walls. Be specific about what you can do, what you can’t, and when you’re available. Once your kids are grown, yes, offering support is important, but so is taking care of yourself and encouraging independence.
Boundaries protect love from resentment and prevent financial or emotional whiplash. Share limits early and revisit them during calm moments. Consistency makes your yes feel safe and your no feel honest.
4. Unconditional Regard
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Approval is about decisions; regard is about the person. Tell them what you admire that has nothing to do with outcomes: grit, humor, kindness. Text quick affirmations after hard days. When criticism is needed, separate the action from the human. Regard says, “You belong here,” and it lowers the temperature in every tough talk.
5. Privacy and Trust
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Treat their life like it’s theirs, not news to pass around. Ask permission before sharing updates with relatives. Don’t pry for details you wouldn’t want to give. Trust grows when you keep confidences and respect closed topics. If you’re unsure, say, “Is this just for me, or can I tell Grandma?” and stick to the answer.
6. Honest Apologies
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Parents make mistakes at every stage. Own yours briefly, without excuses: “I’m sorry. You were right. I’ll do better.” Ask if there’s a repair they’d like to see. Then change the behavior. A clean apology rebuilds trust faster than long explanations, and it models the kind of accountability you want back.
7. Encouragement Without Pressure
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Cheer the effort, not just the win. Swap “When will you…?” for “How can I support you this month?” It feels less like nagging and more like help. And it’ll stop your grown kid rolling their eyes and reverting back to teenager mode. Share small reminders of past resilience when they doubt themselves. Pressure sounds like a deadline; encouragement sounds like belief. They can feel the difference, and belief helps people try again.
8. Time That Isn’t Transactional
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Show up for a walk, coffee, or game night that isn’t about logistics. Put it on the calendar like any important plan. Keep phones out of sight for the first half hour. Rituals—Sunday calls, quarterly breakfasts—compound connection over time. Fun together buys you goodwill when harder talks pop up.
9. Family Stories and Roots
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Share the messy and the brave, not just the photo‑album wins. Teach the recipes, record the names, and write down the “how we got here” timeline. Stories make a map they can carry into new cities and families. Knowing where they come from helps them choose where to go next.
10. Traditions That Flex
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Holidays and rituals keep you connected, but schedules change. Rotate dates, share hosting, and welcome new people and foods. Flexibility says people matter more than routines. If alcohol has caused friction at gatherings, reset your plan using NIAAA’s straightforward Rethinking Drinking tips so celebrations stay warm, not wobbly.
11. A Safe Emotional Home Base
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When life hits, they don’t need a bailout plan so much as a belonging plan. Offer calm, a couch if needed, and a hot meal without a lecture. Ask, “Do you want logistics help, or just a quiet place to land?” Decades of research, including Harvard’s long‑running Study of Adult Development, ties steady relationships to better health. Be a steady place.
12. Curiosity About Their World
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Trade assumptions for questions. Ask about friends, projects, and the parts of work they enjoy. Learn a bit about their favorite music or game so you can speak their language. Curiosity feels like love in motion, and it beats lectures every time. Even five curious minutes on a call makes a difference.
13. Patience With Their Timeline
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Careers and relationships zigzag. Hold your predictions loosely and your presence tightly. Say, “I trust your pace,” and mean it. The U.S. Surgeon General’s recent social connection advisory highlights how supportive ties buffer stress. Patience is one way to provide that buffer.
14. Respect for Their Partner
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Treat partners as family, not visitors. Use correct names and pronouns. Ask privately what support would help at family events. If conflict arises, protect the couple’s unity by saving critiques for later. Respect for the relationship is respect for your child.
15. Space to Parent Their Way
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If there are grandkids, follow their rules even when you disagree. Ask before offering tips, and offer help that matches their style. Keep containable promises, like weekly pickups or a set date night. You’ll be trusted with more when you honor the boundaries they set for their home.
16. Shared Laughter
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Inside jokes and old stories beat long lectures. Send a silly throwback photo, trade memes, or text a one‑line family memory. Laughter loosens stuck places and turns tension into teamwork. Fun is not fluff; it’s grease in the gears of a busy life.
17. Consistency and Reliability
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Call when you say you will. Keep plans or reschedule early. Reliability builds trust faster than any speech. When you miss, own it quickly and repair. A consistent parent becomes the first call, not the last resort.
18. Gentle Truth‑Telling
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Hard topics still matter: health, substance use, debt, conflict. Speak with care, lead with a question, and aim for specifics, not labels. Share how choices affect you, then step back. Truth lands better when it rides with respect, not judgment.
19. Celebrating Small Wins
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Notice promotions, clean streaks, finished classes, and brave conversations. Send a two‑line card or text that names the win and the effort behind it. Small acknowledgments motivate more than rare, big parties. Consistent praise says, “I see you,” and adults need to be seen.
20. Grace for Their Flaws
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They learned some habits from you, and some despite you. Offer grace to them and to yourself. Name progress when you see it, not just problems. Repair beats replay, and grace keeps the door unlocked while change unfolds.
21. Permission to Live a Separate Life
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Closeness doesn’t require constant contact. Bless their adventures and let them miss you. Agree on rhythms for calls and visits that respect time zones and workloads. When you give space freely, most kids choose to fill it with you again.
You do not need spreadsheets to build wealth. You need small defaults that work even when you are busy. Think automation, insulation from impulse, and a few rules you actually follow. Pick three this week, add two next month, and let time do the heavy lifting.
1. Automate a Payday Transfer
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Set a dollar amount to move from checking to savings every payday. Keep it small enough that you will not cancel it. If you want motivation, play with the SEC’s compound interest calculator and watch tiny deposits grow.
2. Hide Savings From Yourself
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Open a separate online savings account and turn off the app badge. Out of sight means fewer raids for impulse buys. Label it with the goal so you remember the why.
3. Use an HSA if You Qualify
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High‑deductible plan plus an HSA gets you a triple tax break. Read what counts in the IRS’s Publication 969 on HSAs, then set a small auto‑contribution. Even $25 per check builds a medical cushion.
4. Capture the Full 401(k) Match
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If your job matches, increase your deferral until you grab every free dollar. Raise it one percent after each raise. Leave the money alone.
5. Put IRA Contributions on Autopilot
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Monthly drafts beat last‑minute scrambles. If your income allows, use a Roth for simple withdrawals later. When rules change, check the IRS page on IRA limits and basics before you adjust.
6. Align Bill Due Dates
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Call card issuers and utilities and shift due dates around payday. One clean bill day cuts missed payments. Autopay the minimums, then pay extra when cash is strong.
7. Run a Withholding Check Each Spring
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A quick look at the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator helps you avoid big refunds or surprise tax bills. Adjust with a new W‑4 if needed. Fewer swings means steadier savings.
8. Keep Cash in Insured Accounts
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Use banks and credit unions with FDIC or NCUA coverage. Review your categories with the FDIC’s deposit insurance guide. Spread large balances if you need more coverage.
9. Make a Tiny Raise Rule
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Every raise sends two percent to retirement, one percent to savings. Spend the rest guilt‑free. Small steps beat big intentions.
10. Use Sinking Funds
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Create mini buckets for travel, car repairs, and holidays. Move a fixed amount monthly so the hits do not wreck you. Label each fund in your banking app.
11. Lower Big Bills Once a Year
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Shop insurance, internet, and mobile plans every 12 months. Ask your current provider to match your best offer. Set a calendar reminder so you remember.
12. Delay Every Nonessential for 24 Hours
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Park it in the cart and walk away. If you still want it tomorrow, buy. Most wants fade.
13. Put Friction Between You and Spending
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Delete saved cards from browsers. Remove one shopping app. You will spend less when checkout takes effort.
14. Kill Fees With Autopay And Alerts
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Turn on bank and card alerts for transactions and due dates. Autopay the statement balance where you can. Late fees are pure waste.
15. Track Net Worth Monthly
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List accounts and debts in one note. Do not micromanage. You are watching the trend, not each wiggle.
16. Pick a Debt Plan and Stick With It
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Choose avalanche for math wins or snowball for quick wins. The CFPB explains both in its guide on how to reduce your debt. Automate extra payments so momentum keeps going.
17. Raise Insurance Deductibles When Your Cushion Grows
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A real emergency fund supports higher deductibles. Premiums drop, and you keep the savings. Revisit once a year.
18. Use Rewards Like a Rebate, Not a Reason
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If you pay cards in full, route routine bills through one rewards card. Cash out monthly to savings. Skip any card that tempts overspending.
19. Make Home Energy Tweaks That Pay Back Fast
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Swap in LEDs, seal obvious gaps, and set a real thermostat schedule. The DOE’s Energy Saver hub shows simple fixes most homes need. Lower bills feed your savings without pain.
20. Keep an “Oops” Fund for the House and Car
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Start with $1,000 for repairs you cannot predict. Add $50 a month until you hit your comfort level. Emergencies become mild annoyances.
21. Pull Your Credit Reports Regularly
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Errors are common and easy to miss. The FTC confirmed you now have permanent free weekly reports at AnnualCreditReport.com. Scan names, addresses, and balances, then dispute anything wrong.
22. Verify Your Social Security Record
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Create a secure my Social Security account and check your earnings each year. Fixing a missing year now protects future benefits. Save the PDF for your records.
23. Rebalance Once a Year
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Pick a simple mix and return to it annually. Do it on your birthday so you remember. Decisions get easier when they are scheduled.
24. Direct Windfalls Before They Arrive
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Tax refund, bonus, or cash gift gets split: half to savings, half to debt or goals. Decide the split in advance so you stick to it. Spend a small slice for joy.
25. Keep Money Out of Reach on Weekends
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Transfer extra cash to savings Friday night. If you do not see it, you will not spend it. Move it back Monday if needed.
