A penny saved...

is a penny earned, and time is money. Here’s how to save both. [Image] ThePennyHoarder.com May 1st, 2019 We would say the ball’s in your court, but we think we all see eye to eye here: Cold hard cash might just be the best thing since sliced bread. But it’s not always easy to earn a quick buck; going from rags to riches is a process, but when you hit pay dirt with a smart business or side gig idea, you might just strike it rich if the idea is worth its weight in gold. OK, OK… we’re officially out of idioms about money, so let’s just dive in: Today, we’re talking small businesses and side hustles — and that’s something you can take straight to the bank. (Oh look, we found more.) But first… A Penny Saved… Summer can be a bummer for working parents expected to shell out hundreds — or maybe even thousands — of dollars each week for their children to attend summer camp programs. And if you weren’t anticipating it, the financial blow can feel even bigger.  Here’s [what parents need to know to get prepared and cut costs]( — plus how to start saving for next year so you’re not caught off guard again.  [Image] It Takes a Village You know one of our favorite parts about our online community? It’s not just the fact that people use it to ask questions and share solutions to problems (although that’s a huge part of what it’s there for, so ask away!) — it’s also that people offer up personal financial knowledge gained through years of experience and trial and error of their own. Like [this community member, who shared what they’ve learned]( from 20 years of experience as a small business owner, including everything from start-up costs to business licensing to finding your first clients.  The community is a wealth of information, knowledge and education, so if you have things to learn or things to teach, head over to [the on-site Penny Hoarder community](. (Psst. You can join the community by visiting the “Sign Up” tab on the navigation bar.) Time is Money Having a side hustle or a small business means you know — maybe better than anyone — that time really does equal money.  When you spend your extra hours earning extra money, you start equating every hour spent lounging on the couch with an hourly figure you could be putting toward your debt payoff goals or banking for your future. (Note: We’re definitely not saying you shouldn’t take downtime when you need it — balance is important!)  But here’s the kicker about side hustles and small businesses: They require a LOT of dedicated time just to operate as it is. Like, a lot more than you’d devote to a salaried job. Billing clients, preparing and filing documents, bookkeeping, record keeping, driving to and from meetings and gigs… it all takes a serious toll on your time, which in turn can seriously affect your bottom line.  If you’re a small business owner or side-hustler, it’s important to make the most of the hours in your day by keeping on schedule and simplifying (or even automating) some of the more tedious tasks. Ready to start working smarter, not harder? (Goodness knows you work hard enough.) Check out these [13 apps that will help you be more productive and efficient when you’re on the go](.  [Image] WORD OF THE DAY SWOT analysis (n): A study businesses undertake to help guide strategy development that includes laying out a company or business idea’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. A SWOT analysis is a common step during the “market research” phase of starting a business.  Ever had a good business idea? Probably. But that’s likely all it ended up as — an idea. Millions of Americans would love to start a business, but the biggest inhibitor for them is not knowing where to start. In this 10-step guide, [we provide everything you need to go from ideation to registration]( — including how to research your potential competitors and ensure there’s actually a market for your product or service.  [The Penny Hoarder Academy](   [The Penny Hoarder] [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( [YouTube]( The Penny Hoarder | 490 1st Ave S, Suite 800 | Saint Petersburg, Florida 33701 | United States  You can [update your mailing preferences here]( or [unsubscribe]( from all email from The Penny Hoarder.  Questions? View our [Privacy Policy]( .  Having trouble reading this email? You can [view it online](