MONEY

Platform FeaturesMany newer investing apps are severely limited in what you can do, but Public actually offers some great functionality.You can buy any stock regardless of its share price, and the platform also has some interesting educational and social features that can help investors of all experience levels. Buying Partial Share Slices – Fractional SharesWith the traditional stock market model, to buy a share, you need to pay the full share amount and receive a percentage of the company. While this usually works fine for most investors, there are some great companies that have incredibly high stock values. Google, Amazon, and other giants can command thousands of dollars per share. So for small time or newbie investors it may not be an option to buy even a single share of stock in these companies. Public works a little differently. This platform allows you to invest whatever you can afford. So, if you have $100, you can buy a $100 slice of one share, allowing you to invest in your favorite companies without the high dollar barrier to entry. Public does also allow you to buy full shares of stock. When you do this, you can access market, stop order, and limit types. This allows you to trade more extensively. Share slices just provide a unique bonus for the platform. Instant, Real Time Fractional StocksGenerally, many investment brokers will queue up orders for fractional shares of stock. They may only put them through once a day or even once a week. This can create a problem of a lack of accuracy on the price you receive when you buy the stock. So, you wont know the precise price you are working with until the buy order goes through.Public, however, is a little different as it immediately executes your stock order. This allows you to see in real time the price you are getting, which will give you a more accurate picture. Additionally, Public will also reinvest your dividends if you ask, so you can increase your earnings by quickly reinvesting your money, instead of letting it sit dormant in your account.Friendly Categorization Of StocksFor many new investors, looking at a list of stock options can be daunting. Since you may not be familiar with the stocks, they may appear to be in a strange order that doesn’t appear logical. This is because the stocks are arranged by industry. So, you need to know how a company is categorized to find it. However, Public has turned this on its head. On the app, the stocks are organized into themes, creating more user friendly categories. So, if you are interested in new age industries or female led companies, you can quickly browse these sectors and invest in companies of interest to you. Just some of the examples of the themes, include New Kids on the Block, Bio-Tech, Cannabis, and The Future is Female. Social InvestmentAs we touched on above, Public takes its name from the social investment aspect that its platform has. Public has a large community forum where traders can ask questions or make comments about trade related issues. You can share your experience or ask questions from people with some direct experience in the specific category. This creates a social aspect where you can get insight and feedback to enable smart trading. This social feed can be a real game changer. Historically, financial institutions are closed off from a free flow of information about the investment approach taken by other users. Since you can follow people on Public and see their portfolios, you’ll be able to get some really good information and insight into how others are investing. Of course, you’ll want to make sure you establish whether someone you follow is reliable before you take note of any tips or make major investments. But, the platform will give you an overall feel that you are not going it alone. Investing can feel like a jungle filled with aggressive investors who dominate while the little guy struggles to get ahead. For newbies, this can be intimidating. Public can help you to feel that you have some support and guidance to help you over your first few hurdles as you’re learning to invest. Chat SupportLike many free stock app options, Public does not have physical locations where you can speak face to face with a broker. However, the platform does provide chat support. This provides access to the customer support team if you have an investing questions or technical issues using the app. Referral ProgramOne of the nice features of Public is that it has a generous referral program. When you sign up you’ll receive a referral link, and when someone you refer signs up, you’ll receive a slice of stock. Additionally, your friend will get one too. Currently referrers and referees will receive a free stock worth up to $15.To get your referral link go to the gift icon in your app, select to “copy invite link” and then send that referral link to your friend, family member or acquaintance. Once they have established a “qualified account” through your link, you’ll both get your free stock.See the Public FAQ site for full referral program details.The Pros and Cons of PublicAs with any financial platform or product, Public is not perfect. There are both pros and cons that you should assess to make an informed decision about whether it is a good choice for your specific needs. The Pros:Free Investing: The biggest pro for Public is that it is completely free to use. Of course, this will be appealing for first time investors who only have small amounts to buy shares. However, it will also benefit the savvy investor who doesn’t want to pay exorbitant fees and commissions. Public allows you to invest, trade money in, and take money out without paying a penny. Bear in mind that some advanced features such as order flow payments or share lending will attract a fee. Investment Community: Public helps you to feel that you are not alone on your investment journey. There is both chat support and an investor community. This can help you navigate your first time investments and gain insight into some more advanced options. Real-Time Fractional Stocks: Public is quite unique as it also offers real-time fractional investing. While Acorns, Betterment, or Robinhood may offer fractional shares or free commissions, they don’t typically combine both features.Ample Investing Information: Many free investment apps have very basic information. However, Public aims to help you learn more about investing, including seldom discussed topics. This includes areas such as best practices and investment trends. There is even background information on individual companies. So, it can help you if you want to invest while supporting a cause.The ConsStill A New Company: Public has only been operating for a few years, and while the company does seem to be promising in what it offers, it doesn’t have a decade long (or longer) track record to show that they’re around for the long haulUSA Only: Public is currently only available to residents of the USA. If you’re in other areas of the world, you will be unable to open an account. Getting StartedIf you like what you’ve read so far and want to get started, rest assured that Public aims to make the sign up process as easy as possible.The entire process starts by downloading the app. The app is available for both Android and iOS devices. Just visit the website through our link below, enter your cell phone number, and then download the app on the device of your choice. The company is constantly releasing updates and improving the app.You can do download it here:Create a ProfileAfter you download the app, you’ll need to answer some basic questions.Public will ask you for information such as your name, social security number, bank details, and age. Bear in mind that you need to be 18+ to open an account. Choose Stocks To Start Real Time TradingPublic has over 5,000 stocks listed that you can trade. These are organized into themes. This will help you to discover new companies in categories of interest to you. Simply choose a category, browse the list, and pick a company that seems interesting. Public does provide lots of information on each company. So, you can explore company histories, comments, and trends. There is even a list of sub brands. You can even see what other brands a parent company owns. This will help you to learn a great deal before you choose to invest. This app works incredibly quickly. After you open your account, you can immediately start investing, regardless of how much you deposit. The moment your funds transfer clears, you can start real time trading. As long as the market is open, you can immediately execute trades. Investment TrackingAfter you’ve selected and bought some stocks, you can sit back and watch how they do in the markets. If you choose to buy small fractional slices of stock, you’re not likely to make a fortune right away, but it can be interesting to view and track your investments as they grow over time. Public automatically deposits dividends in cash as a default. You can opt into Public automatically reinvesting your dividends, however.Simply message the support team, and they can activate the service. Or, if you prefer, you can go to your “Account” page, click on the “settings” icon and then scroll down to the “Dividend Reinvestment” section to enable it yourself. I would recommend reinvesting your dividends, that way none of your money remains un-invested in non interest-bearing cash deposits, it will go back into the markets to grow as the dividends come in.Is Public a Good Option for You?Public has some great features for newbie investors and those looking for fee-free trading. That makes it an attractive proposition that is worthy of serious consideration.If you don’t have a lot of money but want to get started investing, or need help and guidance to develop your investing skills, Public has a lot to offer. Additionally, the lack of commissions or fees will also be attractive to most investors. Public is an excellent app for many investors, but it may not be for everyone. If you live outside the US, regularly day trade, or need more automation tools, you may be better suited to another platform. It is also worth bearing in mind that Public does not facilitate more complex trade options such as cryptocurrencies or OTC stocks. Want to get started with this free trading platform? Click on the button below to sign up! […]

If you’re looking to increase your income and you’re ready to take action, the side hustles covered in this article could all be started this weekend.Some side hustles allow you to start making money immediately and others involve building a business with excellent long-term income potential.Regardless of your situation, you’re sure to find something that’s a good fit for you.Quick Navigation 1. BloggingBlogging is one of the most popular side hustles, and you could easily get your new blog launched over the weekend. There are plenty of things to love about blogging as a side hustle, including the opportunity to start a blog that covers topics you enjoy. Equally important, blogging offers unlimited earning potential. There are plenty of bloggers making six figures per year, and some even make six figures per month. Of course, those high-earning bloggers are in the minority, but the potential to build a legit online business is certainly there.Blogging can also be a great side hustle if you’re just looking to make some extra money on the side. Many people are simply looking for a way to make an extra $500 per month, and that’s realistic with a blog.The downside to blogging is that you’ll need some patience. Growing a blog from scratch takes time, and most bloggers make very little money in the first 6-12 months. However, once you’ve gained some momentum, it’s a great way to make money online. Why You Might Want to Start a Blog:Unlimited income potential.Flexibility to work around your existing schedule.You can start a blog on the topic of your choice.Potential to make money on your own without the need for client services.Easy and inexpensive to start.How to Get StartedThe first step is to decide what you’re going to blog about. While you don’t need to be passionate about the topic of your blog, it helps if you at least have some interest in the subject. Working on the blog will be a lot more fun if it’s something you enjoy.Next, you’ll need to sign up for a web hosting account to get your blog set up. I recommend Bluehost for new bloggers because their prices are among the lowest in the industry, and it’s straightforward to get set up. The article How to Make Money Blogging as a Side Hustle is a great guide you can follow.2. Start a YouTube ChannelStarting a YouTube channel is another enticing option that offers many of the same benefits as blogging. It’s a flexible opportunity that offers significant income potential. The difference is, you’ll be creating content in video format instead of written format. If you enjoy being on camera more than you enjoy writing, YouTube may be a better opportunity than blogging for you.The highest-earning YouTubers are making tens of millions of dollars per year, and the numbers keep growing each year. As the amount of video content consumed by the average person continues to increase, the earning potential for YouTubers will also increase.Like starting a blog, growing your YouTube channel will take time, and you aren’t likely to start making money right away. The most common way to monetize a YouTube channel is through the YouTube Partner Program, which allows you to make money from ads on your videos. You’ll need at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours to be eligible for the program. Those numbers may seem high, but many active YouTube channels can reach that level within a few months.Why You Might Want to Start a YouTube Channel:Unlimited income potential.Surging demand for video content.Less competition than blogging.Can be a lot of fun.How to Get StartedYouTube for Beginners is a course from Skillshare that was created by an experienced and successful YouTuber. It teaches everything you need to know to start and grow your channel.3. Online SurveysThe first two options I’ve mentioned offer excellent long-term income potential but will take some time before you start making money. Taking online surveys is the exact opposite. You’re not going to get rich by taking surveys, but this is a highly flexible side hustle, and you can start making money immediately.If you’re looking to make an extra $100 per month, or maybe a few hundred dollars per month, taking surveys could be a good option. There are several survey websites and money making apps you can use to start making money right away. Some of the best choices include:Surveys are appealing because anyone can do this side hustle. You don’t need any particular skills or experience to make money in your spare time.Why You Might Want to Take Online Surveys:Extreme flexibility: take surveys whenever you have a few minutes to spare.Anyone can do it. No specific skills or experience required.Start making money right away.Sites like Swagbucks offer lots of ways to make money in addition to surveys.How to Get StartedGetting started is quick and easy. Create a free account at the top sites like Swagbucks and Survey Junkie, complete your profile, and begin taking surveys. Each site will have different rules regarding the amount of money or points you need to earn before withdrawing the cash or redeeming points. Swagbucks allows you to redeem points as soon as you have enough for a $3 gift card, making it one of the best options.4. Flea Market FlippingIf you enjoy finding amazing deals at yard sales, flea markets, auctions, estate sales, or thrift stores, becoming a flipper could be the right choice for you. This side hustle involves buying underpriced items and reselling them for a profit.Finding valuable items at places like yard sales and flea markets is pretty easy with a little effort. Many people are simply looking to get rid of their stuff, and you can find some great deals. Most flippers resell the items online through eBay, the Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or other similar sites and apps. Flipping is a flexible side hustle you can do whenever you have the time or need to make some extra money. It’s also possible to start earning a profit very quickly.Why You Might Want to Become a Flipper:Can be fun if you enjoy finding great deals.Good income potential.You can learn the skills quickly.Great fit for people who don’t want to spend all of their time online.How to Get StartedTo get started, all you need to do is head out to some yard sales or flea markets this weekend and look for underpriced items to buy. It’s best to start with products that you know well. With a little bit of experience, you’ll get more familiar and more comfortable with a broader range of products. See this list of the easiest things to flip for profit as a guide for getting started.5. Furniture FlippingMost of the items you buy at yard sales or flea markets to flip will involve minimal work to get them ready to sell. You might clean up an item or make minor repairs, but in most cases, you’ll be making money primarily by finding things that are worth more than they’re selling for. Flipping furniture is different because it requires putting in several hours of work to restore the item before selling it. The idea is to find a low-priced (or free) piece of furniture that has the potential to be much more valuable if it is restored or refinished. Solid wood furniture is ideal because you can increase the value simply by painting or staining it. Upholstered furniture can be reupholstered for a completely new look, increasing the value relatively quickly.If you enjoy working with your hands and turning something old and unwanted into something valuable, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. Learning how to repair or restore furniture is not that difficult, and there are plenty of YouTube videos that will teach you for free.You can find items to flip at yard sales or drive around and look at pieces out for the trash. Once your item is ready to sell, the Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are ideal for reaching people in your local area.Why You Might Want to Flip Furniture:Work whenever you have time or whenever you need money.High demand for restored furniture.Anyone can learn the skills.Start making money quickly.How to Get StartedTo get started, you’ll need to find your first piece to flip. Take a look around your home or apartment, and you may already have an ideal item. Working on a piece of furniture you already own is a perfect way to start. It means that you won’t have to spend any money buying an item, and it gives you a chance to make a profit quickly. If you don’t have anything, head to some yard sales this weekend and see what you can find.6. InvestingOver the past year, investing as a side hustle has become increasingly popular. Stories of part-time investors making huge sums of money have been in the news a lot. Of course, the stock market’s trajectory over the past year made that more manageable, but this is a side hustle you might want to consider if you enjoy personal finance and investing.It’s critical to remember that investing comes with risk, and you shouldn’t invest money that you can’t afford to lose. However, there’s also a substantial upside if you have success with it.Platforms and apps that are ideal for new traders include:Of course, investing in the stock market isn’t the only option. You could also invest more passively in real estate or other types of alternative investments. Some platforms you might want to consider include:You can also find plenty of alternative investment options here.Why You Might Want to Start Investing:Excellent long-term potential.Opportunity for exponential growth.Valuable skills to learn.How to Get StartedTo get started, decide which type of investing you want to do. This beginner’s guide is a good resource for anyone who wants to get started with the stock market.7. PhotographyAre you a hobbyist photographer? Would you like to start making money from that hobby? There are several different ways to make money with photography, but we’ll look at two great options for getting started as a side hustle: client photo sessions and stock photography.No matter where you live, there are people in your local area looking for a photographer. You could take photos of families, engaged couples, high school seniors, sports teams, and much more. Making some part-time money by offering photography services is relatively easy. Scaling it to a full-time income is much more challenging. If you’re looking for a way to make a few hundred dollars per month on the side and you have some photography skills, consider offering your services to others.Another option is to upload your photos to stock photo websites like Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, and many others. You’ll be able to earn money every time a customer downloads one of your photos.The stock photography market is highly competitive, so it’s not easy to make a considerable amount of money. But if you’re looking for a way to make a few hundred dollars per month, it’s very realistic. To have success, you’ll need to upload many photos and keep taking and uploading new pictures all the time. Why You Might Want to Become a Photographer:Monetize your existing hobby.Variety of ways to make money.Potential to grow into a full-time business.How to Get StartedChoose whether you want to offer services to clients or upload your photos to stock marketplaces (or both).For client work, the best way to get started is with friends and family. Talk to everyone you know and offer a low price to begin to get some business. With a little bit of experience, you’ll get to build up your portfolio and benefit from word-of-mouth advertising.To get started with stock photography, choose a platform you want to use. Ultimately, you’ll want to upload your photos to several different sites to maximize your income potential, but it can be helpful to start with just one, so it’s not overwhelming. Each stock photo site will have an application process to become a contributor. You’ll probably need to upload some samples, so get ten of your best photos ready to go.8. FreelancingYou can offer many different services as a freelancer, including writing, editing, proofreading, web or graphic design, coding and development, marketing, and more.Freelancing is a great way to make money because you can use the skills you already have to start making money quickly. You’ve probably developed some skills at a previous job (or maybe your current job), or even through a hobby.The income potential with most freelance services is also outstanding, making it ideal for growing to a full-time income if that’s something you want to pursue.Why You Might Want to Start Freelancing:Lots of possibilities and many services you could offer.Monetize the skills and experience you already have.Excellent income potential.Flexible working hours.How to Get StartedMy article How to Make Money Online for Beginners covers the steps to follow if you want to start as a freelancer.9. Virtual AssistantWorking as a virtual assistant or VA is one of the best opportunities available in 2021. Many businesses are looking to outsource more work, and as a VA, there are numerous different services you could offer.Many VAs do things like general administrative tasks, blog editing, moderate forums or Facebook groups, management of social media profiles, and much more.Working as a VA is a very flexible side hustle that fits around your existing schedule. It’s something you could do part-time or work on growing your client base and turn it into a full-time business.Why You Might Want to Become a VA:High demand for talented and reliable VAs.Work as much or as little as you want.Monetize your existing skills.Good income potential.How to Get StartedGina Horkey’s Fully-Booked VA is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to make money as a virtual assistant. There’s training for all aspects of running your business, and you’ll be able to learn from an experienced and successful VA.10. Self-Published AuthorIf you like to write, you might want to consider becoming a self-published author as a way to make some extra money. With print-on-demand platforms like Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), becoming an author has never been easier. There’s no need to send your writing to a bunch of publishers hoping to hear back.Through KDP, you can sell e-books and paperbacks without the need to spend any money on inventory. The paperbacks are printed as they’re purchased, and Amazon handles all of those details.You can write whatever type of book interests you, covering any topic or genre you choose. You probably already have some experience you could use to write a book that others would buy.Why You Might Want to Become a Self-Published Author:Make money doing something you enjoy.Making money as an author has never been more realistic.Completely flexible. Work whenever you want.Potential for passive income.How to Get StartedFrom First Draft to Bestseller is a detailed and thorough course that teaches how to make money as a self-published author.11. Sell on EtsyIf you’re crafty, you might enjoy selling on Etsy. You could sell handmade or vintage items, or even design and sell digital products like printables. Selling on Etsy is a side hustle that may take some time to become profitable because you’ll need to work on getting exposure and growing your shop. The long-term potential is solid, but you’ll probably need to put in a lot of work early on. Why You Might Want to Start an Etsy Shop:Monetize your crafty hobby.Work around your existing schedule.Excellent income potential.How to Get StartedThe course Building an Etsy Shop That Sells is an excellent starting point. Beginners will learn all of the necessary details related to getting started on Etsy.12. MicrotasksThe opportunity to make money with microtasks is very similar to taking online surveys. You’re not going to make a lot of money per hour, but what it lacks in income potential, it makes up in terms of flexibility.Several websites like Amazon’s Mechanical Turk and Clickworker pay people to do small, simple tasks that take no more than a few minutes. Some survey websites like Swagbucks also offer a variety of tasks you can do for money or rewards. You can work on microtasks whenever you have some spare time, as much or as little as you want. And like surveys, anyone can do the work. You don’t need skills or experience, aside from fundamental computer skills.Why You Might Want to Do Microtasks:Extreme flexibility. Work whenever you want, as much or as little as you want.Anyone can do it. No skills or experience needed.Start making money right away.How to Get StartedTo get started, create a profile at a microtasking site like MTurk or Clickworker. The signup process is easy, and you’ll be able to start completing tasks very quickly.13. Rental BusinessOne of the more overlooked side hustles involves renting out your stuff. There are many different things you could rent, including:ToolsBaby gearCar, truck, or bikeRVStorage space Room or unit in your homeParking spaceWith a rental business, you’ll be making money because of your assets, not because of the amount of time you’re working. If you have things that people are willing to pay to use, you might be able to make a decent amount of money on the side without working many hours.Why You Might Want to Start a Rental Business:Turn things you’re not using into income-generating assets.Make money from your assets, not trading your time for money.Lots of different things you could rent out.How to Get StartedTake a look at the things you already have. Try to find anything that might have value that you’d be willing to rent out. You can use a website like Fat Llama to list just about anything for rent or use a specialized platform like RVshare to rent out a specific type of item. Use Airbnb to rent a room or vacation home.Final ThoughtsIf you’re interested in making some extra money outside of a job, why not take action right away? This article covers 13 good side hustles you could start this weekend, and most of them involve minimal startup costs or no cost at all.Pick one that seems like a good fit for you and commit to taking action this weekend! Related Posts […]

Dave Ramsey has helped thousands of people around the world through the 7 Baby Steps for financial peace and freedom.The process works.His book titled the Total Money Makeover has had some impressive sales numbers. The book has sold over 5 million copies and has been on the Wall Street Journal Best-Selling list for over 500 weeks. (That data is from August 2017, over 4 years ago, so it’s sold more by now.)So, we know that the 7 Baby Steps work. There’s a lot to love above the process, and we will address 4 of those attributes here. We will also cover 4 things that we think could be updated this year (as it has been almost 30 years since the Baby Steps were created).Quick Navigation What Are The Baby Steps?Before we begin, let me lay out what the Baby Steps are for those who are unfamiliar with them:Save up $1,000 to start an emergency fund.Pay off all non-mortgage debt using the debt snowball.Save up 3 to 6 months of expenses to complete your emergency fund.Invest 15% of household income into Roth IRAs and pre-tax retirement accounts.Work on college funding for children.Pay off your mortgage early.Build wealth and give!Now, let’s address the 4 things we love about Dave Ramsey Baby Steps. 1) It’s Evident How Intentional Dave Ramsey Was In Creating The Baby StepsI doubt there will ever be a change to the Baby Steps because it is clear how much thought went into comprising the steps. The 7 Baby Steps really do work. There are three great reasons why the plan actual works:a. The Baby Steps Force You To Get Gazelle Intense When It Comes To Paying Off DebtI’ll mention this later, but I really appreciate that Dave Ramsey keeps the emergency fund smaller to force you to be gazelle intense. Having such a small emergency fund of $1000 really does force you to get out of debt faster because having too much money in the bank can cause you to stagnate. b. Dave Strongly Encourages Your Behavior ModificationToo many financial gurus don’t give it to you straight. They may tell you that you need to invest in real estate or cryptocurrency.  It often feels like a lie that you can achieve financial freedom without putting in a lot of work.Dave Ramsey comes off as blunt many times, but he forces people to confront that the debt is often our fault (with some exceptions). His bluntness, along with the Baby Steps, forces you to self-reflect.c. The Plan Is Simple And Shows How You Need To Focus On One Step At A TimeI’ll mention this more below, but it’s evident that his focused intensity on the Baby Steps plan helps you stay focused on the task. You complete the first 3 steps consecutively and the following 4 steps concurrently in a prioritized order. You don’t have to multitask. Also, you don’t need to think about another step. You just need to focus on the step at hand.2) Dave Ramsey Is Right That You Need A PlanDave Ramsey has many helpful quotes. One of my favorite of Dave Ramsey’s quotes is, “You must plan your work and then work your plan”. Too often we go through life without a plan, but we expect that everything is going to work out just fine. I remember the first time I budgeted.  I thought that I spent a certain amount of money on eating out each month, only to realize that number was much higher.We need plans. It could be a debt payoff plan to stay on top of your debt. It could also be a budget to understand your income and expenses. Or it could be a plan to pay off your home early as per Baby Step 6.Dave Ramsey understood that which is why the Baby Steps plan is so useful. You stick to the plan and you get out of debt. Voila.3) The Baby Steps Get Progressively More ChallengingOne thing I noticed early was that the Baby Steps seems to get progressively more challenging. This helps build momentum. It is much easier to save $1000 than to pay off your house early. By starting and taking baby steps, the baby steps themselves actually don’t feel very babyish. Paying off your home early per Baby Step 6 feels much more like a big kid step, but it’s still just a Baby Step like the others. It’s impressive how Dave structured these baby steps.4) The Community Around Dave Ramsey Baby Steps Is IncredibleYou don’t have to look far to realize that the community around Dave Ramsey is incredible. You can take a Financial Peace University class at your local church. These classes are excellent to encourage you and help keep you accountable while you eliminate debt. You’ll learn the baby steps inside and out with others in your community. You can also be a part of a vibrant Dave Ramsey Facebook Community. Personally, I am a part of many of these communities where I receive a ton of encouragement when sharing wins and losses in the process of debt elimination.There’s a lot to love about the Dave Ramsey Baby Step method.Now, let’s cover a few things that could use a refresh.1) Can Creating A Budget Be Baby Step #1?I am a budget fanatic. I would love to see a Baby Step dedicated to budgeting. Why? Because budgeting helps you understand where every dollar goes. I used “every dollar” like that on purpose because Dave Ramsey himself created a budget app called EveryDollar for that very purpose.What better way to understand how much money you have to put towards your emergency fund than starting with a budget.I am not sure why Dave doesn’t start with a budget, but I would be keen to start the Baby Steps with creating one.2) Dave Ramsey’s Emergency Fund May Need A RefreshDave Ramsey’s emergency fund calls you to save $1,000 in Baby Step 1. Is $1,000 enough? It really depends. First, adjusted for inflation, $1,000 in 1990 is now worth $2,043.26 per the US Inflation Calculator.There’s a plethora of questions you can ask yourself when considering whether the emergency fund is big enough, such as:How much debt do you have to pay off?Do you own a home?How old is your car?How many kids do you have?Do you have insurance?Another question I like to ask is, “where do you live?”. Personally, my family and I live in the Bay Area, California where the cost of living tends to be quite high. $1,000 wouldn’t get us very far.3) Is The Snowball Method The Best Way To Pay Off Debt?As a refresh, the debt snowball method means that you line up your debts from smallest to largest and pay your monthly extra to your smallest debt first then snowball into higher debts. The debt avalanche method is where you line up your debts from the highest interest rate and use your monthly extra to pay off the highest interest first. The savvy debt method is where you pay off 1-2 of your smallest balances first via snowball before reverting to the avalanche method to save the most in interest.Dave Ramsey loves the debt snowball method. It has worked for many people, so why wouldn’t he? He feels the opposite for the debt avalanche where he mentions that it doesn’t work.The challenge is that you could lose thousands in interest if your smallest debts also have the smallest interest rates. This can be possible because higher debt amounts carry a higher risk to the lenders, meaning potentially higher interest rates.You can see how much the snowball method loses in comparison through this debt payoff calculator which compares interest paid from snowball to savvy methods. For reference, we are comparing 4 debts: $23,000 at 22%, $18,000 at 19%, $12,000 at 9% and $8,000 at 7% interest rate. The monthly payment is $1,825.00In this example, you would lose over $3,500 in interest by choosing the snowball method.Does that mean that the snowball method is always worse? Absolutely not. The snowball method may provide the psychological benefit that you need to exterminate your debt.You choose the debt payoff app and debt payoff method that is best for you.4) Should You Follow Dave Ramsey’s Advice And Pay Off Your House Early Or Invest?Dave Ramsey loves mutual funds and paying off your home early. My question is what if your mutual funds are making so much more in interest than paying off your home would save you?Wouldn’t the prudent thing be to continue to pay off your home and then get the higher interest from investing in mutual funds?  It’s not a one size fits all solution, but it is something to consider.There are also often benefits of not paying off your home early such as interest paid being tax-deductible. That said, you would really need to determine whether you would make more money from mutual funds than saving from interest payments to determine what’s best for you.What Do You Think About The Baby Steps?The Dave Ramsey Baby Steps have helped thousands around the globe. What do you like about the Baby Steps? Do you agree or disagree with what we would change in 2021? Related Posts […]

If you want to build wealth, developing multiple streams of income should be a priority.In addition to the pay from your full-time job, you could be making extra money from a side hustle, other business ventures, as well as from investments.We’ll take a look at the different types of income, why it’s essential to be making money in a few different ways, and how to develop multiple streams of income so you can secure your financial future.Quick Navigation The Different Types of IncomeWhile there are many different ways to make money, not all of them require the same effort or time commitment. We can break them down into three distinct types of income:Active IncomeActive income is earned by working and investing time. The money you make is a direct result of the time and effort you put in. If you stop working, the income will also stop. Of course, your full-time or part-time job falls into this category. Most side hustles are also examples of active income. The hours may be more flexible than a full-time job, but your ability to earn money through the side hustle still requires you to put in the time and work.Passive IncomeAs the name implies, passive income is money you earn without having to work for it. The money will continue to come in, even while you’re not actively working on it. You can think of passive income as “set it and forget it” or automated income.Although it’s “passive,” that doesn’t mean that no work at all is involved or required. Many passive income streams require work up front, sometimes a significant amount of work. But once that work is done, you can pull back on the time and effort you put in, and the income will continue to flow. Many types of passive income do require you to put in some time or effort to keep making money. However, that investment of time should be minimal for it to be considered passive income.The key is, the income is not directly tied to the amount of work or effort you’re putting in. There is some leverage in place that contributes to the ability to generate cash flow.Passive income is generated from royalties, dividends, and interest. Businesses that pay you a percentage of revenue or profits every month are also considered passive income streams. An online business that you set up a year ago may continue to make money each month with minimal ongoing effort.Portfolio IncomePortfolio income is earned as a result of your investments. You may have an investment portfolio that generates cash flow through dividends or interest income thanks to the money you’ve invested in the past.Your investment portfolio can also include the cash you’ve put away in savings accounts, bonds, or CDs. The money will still be working for you while it’s sitting there earning a little bit of interest every month (although not very much with the current interest rates). You’re not doing anything to earn the money, but it continues to flow for you anyway.Portfolio income requires zero effort, separating it from passive income streams that may require a small time commitment. That means there is no limit to how much you can grow your portfolio income since it requires no time or effort from you.Why is it Important to Have Multiple Streams of Income?We all know that having multiple income streams is good, but let’s look at three specific reasons why this is true. These reasons may be enough to encourage or inspire you to make it a priority to add a new source of income.Increase Your Income PotentialGenerating cash flow in several different ways gives you the potential to increase your overall income. Instead of your full-time job accounting for all of your income, you could see a significant boost by making money in a few other ways. Even if those other sources only account for a small amount of money, it can all add up (especially when you’re investing the extra money, which we’ll cover later).Let’s look at it this way. If you have a salary of $75,000 at your full-time job and you have a side hustle that generates $1,500 per month (a very realistic number), that would increase your income to $93,000 per year. That’s an increase of 24% just by doing some extra work in your spare time. If you add some portfolio income by investing the extra money you’re making, the numbers get even better.Security Through DiversificationWe’ve seen in the past that anything can happen. No one expected a worldwide pandemic to cause the unemployment rate in the U.S. to skyrocket like it did last year. Thankfully, most people who lost their jobs are back to work now, but not all of them are. You may associate a promising career and a full-time job with security, but there really is no such thing. There are always forces outside of our control that could wreak havoc on our financial lives at any time.One of the best ways to improve the security of your income is to make money in a few different ways. If something unexpected happens and you lose your primary source of income, at least you’ll have some money coming in through other methods.Work On Things You EnjoySome people love their full-time jobs, but most people work out of necessity more than passion. We work because we have bills we need to pay and a family to support. Of course, you have some say over what you do for a living, but most likely, there are other things you’d prefer to do with your time if you had the option.One of the best things about having a side hustle is the freedom to choose what you pursue. There are plenty of different options, and it’s entirely possible to decide to work on something you like doing. The work is much more enjoyable and a lot less like a job when you’re doing something fun.Even aside from the extra income, you may find a side hustle very rewarding because you get to do something you enjoy.How To Develop Multiple Streams Of IncomeIf you’ve decided that you’re ready to start working on some additional ways to make money, here are the basic steps you can follow.Step 1: Focus On Your Job FirstYour full-time job probably accounts for the vast majority of your income. It’s essential to keep this in mind and continue to prioritize your job. You don’t want your career to suffer because your efforts to make money in other ways are taking away from the focus on your primary responsibilities.Focusing on your job may mean that the number of hours you’re able to devote to a side hustle is limited, but that’s ok. It may also impact the specific schedule and times that you’re able to work on the side hustle since you can’t be doing two things simultaneously.You may also be able to increase your overall income by getting a raise at your job. Take a look at what you’re making now, the raises you’ve received in the past, the responsibilities you have, the results you’ve produced, and the amount you could make with a similar job at another company. If you feel like higher pay is justified, consider asking for a raise. See our article Tips for Negotiating a Better Salary for plenty of guidance and advice.If you cannot increase your income from your current job or employer, you may also want to consider changing jobs. Unfortunately, sometimes the best way to get a raise is to move to a different employer.A higher-paying job will allow you to make more money without working additional hours. This would increase your overall income and leave time for a side hustle that could raise your income even more.Step 2: Choose A Side Hustle That Fits With Your Interests And ScheduleOnce you’ve maximized what you’re able to make through your full-time job, the next step is to increase your income with a side hustle. There are countless different ways to make money in your spare time. Ideally, you’ll be able to use your existing skills or experience and work on something you enjoy.Choosing a side hustle that interests you is crucial because after working a full-time job, you’ll quickly hate your side hustle if it’s not fun. By incorporating your interests into a side hustle, you’ll be much more likely to have long-term success with it and less likely to quit and give up.You’ll also need to consider your schedule and the hours you can devote to a side hustle. Some side hustles are more flexible than others, and regardless of your existing schedule, you’ll have some options.Step 3: Develop An Investing Plan For The Extra Money You’re MakingOnce your side hustle is generating money, you’ll see an increase in your overall income. Since the purpose of this is to grow wealth, it’s essential to use that extra money wisely, which involves investing.With a solid investing plan, you can add portfolio income that won’t take any time or effort from you.Some investments produce dividends that can be paid out in cash, increasing your income or cash flow. These investments are ideal if you need to supplement your income or look to live off your investments (retire). However, if the extra income isn’t critical to you right now, it’s best if you opt to reinvest the dividends. Reinvesting will allow your portfolio to grow and compound faster, creating better long-term results.In just a minute, we’ll take a look at some specific types of investments you might want to consider.Side Hustles For Extra IncomeWhile there are many ways to make money in your spare time, let’s take a look at a few of our top recommendations.1. Start A BlogBlogging can be an excellent side hustle for several reasons, including:You can start a blog on the topic of your choice, meaning you can work on something you enjoy.Blogging offers a very flexible schedule, and you can work on the blog whenever it fits around your existing commitments.The startup costs are extremely low. The only expenses that are absolutely required are a domain name and web hosting. You can get started for less than $100 for the first year.The income potential is outstanding. A blog is a legit online business that could turn into a full-time income.There’s potential to earn passive income. Building a successful blog requires a lot of work, but there are some passive elements to it once you have an established audience. You can increase your income while cutting back on the hours you work.It’s important to point out that there are also some downsides to blogging. The most significant drawback is that you’ll need to be willing to put in a lot of work before you see the payoff. Most bloggers don’t make much money in the first 6-12 months. There’s a lot of upfront work, but it can pay off down the road.If you want to start a blog, see How to Make Money Blogging as a Side Hustle.2. Work As A Virtual AssistantWorking as a virtual assistant (VA) is one of the best side hustle options right now. Many businesses and entrepreneurs are looking to outsource more work to reduce costs, and there’s high demand for quality VAs.You could offer many different services as a VA, and chances are, you already have some skills that you could put to good use. Your services might include things like:Managing social media profiles for your clients.Moderating Facebook Groups or online forums.Writing, editing, or proofreading blog posts.Creating images and graphics to be used with blog and social media posts.Customer service by email, online chat, or phone.Those are just a few examples, and there are many more possibilities.Working as a VA also allows you to create your schedule and work hours convenient for you. It’s something you can do part-time for a few hours per week or scale up and turn it into a full-time business.If you’re interested in starting a profitable business as a VA, Gina Horkey’s Fully-Booked VA is an excellent resource that would be a wise investment for your money.3. FreelanceOne great way to make extra money is to freelance. Many people start freelancing part-time by doing something they’re skilled at and enjoy, like writing or graphic design. It can be a fun job that pays well while working on your schedule around other responsibilities.Chances are, you already have some skills and experience to use as a freelancer.At first, it might seem impossible to find clients as a beginner freelancer, but it’s not as difficult as you might think. Most freelancers can get their first few clients through their existing personal or professional network. There are also many websites (including Upwork and Fiverr) designed for the sole purpose of connecting freelancers and clients.Freelancing would be classified as active income and doesn’t have the same potential for passive income that you would get by starting a blog. However, freelancing can be one of the most lucrative side hustles because you have the potential to earn an excellent hourly rate. Many of the most popular services for freelancers, like writing, design, coding, and marketing, are valuable services. Many clients are willing to pay well for a talented freelancer that provides quality work.Purchasing access to a course could be a very worthwhile investment if you want to start a business as a freelance writer. Earn More Writing, created by six-figure freelance writer Holly Johnson, is one of the top courses available for freelance writers.4. Start A YouTube ChannelOnline video is extremely popular, and the amount of time people spend watching videos on their mobile devices is constantly increasing. Starting a YouTube channel is an excellent side hustle option to take advantage of this trend.Creating a YouTube channel offers many of the same benefits as starting a blog (the ability to choose a topic you like, unlimited income potential, the possibility for passive income). The difference is, with a YouTube channel, you’ll create video-based content instead of written content.YouTubers can make money in a few different ways:Advertising. YouTube’s Partner Program allows you to make money from the ads display in your videos.Sponsorships. You can find sponsors on your own and charge them for a mention in your videos.Affiliate Programs. Promote the products and services of other brands within your videos and the text description of your videos.YouTube for Beginners is a course from Skillshare that was created by an experienced and successful YouTuber. It teaches everything you need to know to start and grow your channel.5. Write And Sell E-booksAnother option is to become a self-published author by writing and selling your own e-books. Becoming an author is easier than ever, thanks to platforms like Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing. You can write your e-book and get it in front of Amazon’s massive audience to earn extra money.As an e-book writer, you can write about whatever topics interest you or whatever you know well. You can also write many different types of e-books, from fiction to fantasy to educational.While Amazon is a popular platform, you can also sell your e-books on your website or blog. If you have a long-term approach, building your own website is a good idea since you’ll be in complete control, and you won’t need to split the revenue with Amazon. Services like SendOwl and ThriveCart make it very easy to sell your digital products.Writing and selling e-books also provides the potential for passive income. You could write an e-book that continues to generate revenue for several years. Once you’ve written the book, most of your work is done. Of course, you can scale up by writing multiple books to increase your earning potential.From First Draft to Bestseller is a detailed and thorough course that teaches how to make money as a self-published author.Investments For Creating Streams Of IncomeSo far, we’ve looked at increasing your income through your job or a side hustle. Once you’re making more money, you’ll need to use it wisely to have a long-term impact on your finances.The single best thing you can do with your extra income is to invest it. Investing allows your money to grow, and many investments have the potential to make money for you passively.Although there are endless options for investing, here are some of the best choices if you’re looking to create passive portfolio income.Real EstateReal estate has proven to be an excellent investment option, and many millionaires and billionaires have made their fortune primarily through real estate.There are several different ways to invest in real estate, including owning rental properties, flipping houses, REITs, and crowdfunding.Investing in real estate can be done on a small scale, or you could make it your full-time job by owning and managing several income-generating properties.If building portfolio income is your goal, be sure to invest in ways that don’t require any work or effort from you. Being a landlord can require a lot of work, so it’s better as a side hustle than a source of portfolio income.Crowdfunding is an excellent option for anyone who wants to invest in real estate without the headaches that come with managing properties or dealing with tenants. Here are a few of the leading platforms:FundriseFundrise makes it easy to add real estate to your investment portfolio. You can get started with as little as $500. Investors’ money is pooled together, and Fundrise purchases, improves (in some cases), and manages properties before eventually selling them, hopefully for a nice profit. Rather than investing in a single property, you’ll be investing in a portfolio of properties.With an investment of $5,000, you can choose from three different core portfolios: long-term growth, supplemental income, or balanced.Read our Fundrise review for more details.GroundfloorGroundfloor is another platform that is ideal for those who are new to real estate investing. You can get started with as little as $10.Unlike Fundrise, where you’re investing in a portfolio of properties, Groundfloor allows you to choose specific projects that you want to invest in. Most of them are residential house flips. You can earn an average of 10%+, but there is more risk since your investment is in a single project that might not go as planned. However, with the low minimum investment, you can build in your diversification by investing in several different projects rather than just a single one.Fundrise is ideal if you’re looking for a low-maintenance way to invest in real estate. Groundfloor presents an excellent opportunity as well, but you’ll need to spend some time reviewing and choosing the projects to invest in.Read our Groundfloor review for more details.Dividend StocksDividend stocks are a great way to generate passive streams of income. When a company earns a profit, it can either reinvest it into the business, pay dividends to shareholders, or a combination of both. Dividends can be received as cash or used to reinvest in the stock (to receive even more dividends).Many companies have established long track records of paying out dividends to investors. Investing in these companies is an ideal way to create portfolio income.You can invest in dividend stocks by using any platform that allows you to trade stocks. Here are a few of our favorites:RobinhoodRobinhood was the pioneer of the movement for commission-free trades. You can trade stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrency with the Robinhood app.Those who are new to investing will appreciate the ease of use that Robinhood offers. You’ll need to do some research to find the companies you want to invest in, and this list of dividend stocks is an ideal starting point.Read our Robinhood review to learn more.WebullWebull is a Robinhood alternative that also offers free trades. One of the main differences is that Robinhood allows you to purchase fractional shares of a stock if you don’t have enough money to buy a full share. Webull does not currently support fractional shares.Another key difference is the advanced reporting and data that are available with Webull. Robinhood’s ease of use means that it’s missing out on some of the features that experienced traders may appreciate.Read our Webull review to learn more.Alternative InvestmentsThe term “alternative investments” can include many different types of investments outside of stocks and bonds. Here are a few that you may want to consider (you can see our article on alternative investments for more options):FarmlandIt may not be the first investment that comes to mind, but farmland has an excellent track record of producing double-digit returns with below-average risk or volatility. FarmTogether is a crowdfunding platform (for accredited investors only) that allows you to invest in specific farms throughout the United States.WineWine is another type of alternative investment that has historically produced solid results with very little correlation to the ups and downs of the stock market. Vinovest makes it possible to invest in an algorithmically selected portfolio of wines for as little as $1,000.ArtworkFine art has the potential to be an excellent investment, but very few people have the money to purchase a piece of blue-chip art that may be worth millions of dollars. Masterworks allows anyone to invest in art for as little as $20.Build Multiple Streams Of Income To Build WealthIf you want to build wealth, you need to know how to develop multiple streams of income.The steps and tips covered in this article will get you started, but you’ll need to have some persistence and patience to have success. The sacrifices you’ll make will be well worth it. Your long-term financial situation will drastically improve thanks to the diversification of your income. Related Posts […]

Several years ago my family was looking to cut the cord on cable TV to save some money.At the time we were looking at a variety of over-the-air DVRs that we could buy that would allow us to record all of our favorite broadcast television programming.A commenter on this site recommended that we check out the Tablo TV over-the-air DVR from Nuvvyo.  We reached out to Nuvvyo, and they were kind enough to send out their original 2 tuner network DVR. We did a full review of that device, and in the end we were so impressed with it that we kept it as our main over-the-air DVR and live TV streaming device.  We’ve had it now for almost 7 years, and it’s still going strong. In short, we love it!This month I heard from the folks over at Nuvvyo wondering if I’d like to do a review of one of their newer HDMI DVRs, and I jumped at the chance.  So today, we’ll be looking at a full unboxing of the new Tablo Dual HDMI OTA DVR.Quick SummaryOTA DVR with direct HDMI connection.2 tuner DVR with live TV grid guide.Stream live TV to secondary TV.Expandable storage up to 8TB.Automatic Commercial Skip option.Unboxing The Tablo Dual HDMI Over-The-Air DVRSo what does the Tablo Dual HDMI OTA DVR come with in the box?  Here’s a complete list: Tablo DUAL HDMI OTA DVRTablo RemoteAAA Batteries (x2)Power Supply5′ Ethernet Cable5′ HDMI CableQuick Start GuideThe only things that are not included with the device, that you will need to buy separately, include:A 1TB to 8TB USB hard drive (for recording shows or pausing live TV).An ATSC HDTV antenna, for bringing in the broadcast signal in your area. Here’s a quick unboxing of the Tablo Dual HDMI DVR.The Tablo Dual HDMI comes in a nicely designed box that lists all of the device’s features and benefits.  It is HDMI connected and also includes a remote, unlike previous Tablo devices. It also includes an HDMI cable, and a network cable to hook it up to the internet for downloading TV guide data, firmware updates, cover art, etc.The back of the box shows what you’ll need to get started, and how the device is setup once you unbox it. Here’s a first look at everything included in the box.The Tablo box includes the Dual HDMI DVR device, a remote control, power cord, batteries for the remote, HDMI cable and a network cable.The device itself is pretty small. It has vented air holes on the top, a small blue LED light, and a small IR port on the front.The back of the device has a power port, networking port, HDMI port, USB port for the hard drive and an antenna connection.The device itself is pretty small, coming in at just under 1.5 inches in height, and just over 5 inches in length and width.This is one of the first Tablo devices to include a remote control. All of the other DVRs Nuvvyo make are network devices that are controlled either by the app on the mobile device, or by that particular device’s remote (like Fire TV or Roku).  In this case this device is meant to be hooked up directly to a TV, and as such it includes a remote for Navigating the Tablo DVR interface.Below are the cables included in the box. You’ll need them when setting up your device. You’ll plug it directly into your TV’s HDMI port, and to the ethernet port if you have one available.Tablo Dual HDMI Device Specs & FeaturesSo just how big is the Tablo Dual HDMI DVR device?Size: Dual & Quad HDMI DVR: Height: 1.45″, Width: 5.31″, Depth: 5.15″.Weight: Dual Tuner: 228 g or 8 oz. Quad Tuner: 230 g or 8 oz. When compared with the existing original Tablo device we already have, it’s about 1.5″ inches smaller in width.The specs have also gotten better with more memory and a better processor. Here are a few of the specs for the new Dual HDMI device.2 ATSC digital tuners. (4 tuners in the Quad device)1 HDMI 2.1 port to connect to your TV.10/100/1000 Gigabit ethernet port.1 USB 3.0 port supporting up to 8TB in storage.1 Coax antenna port.WiFi included: 802.11ac dual band WiFi with MIMO.Upgradeable firmware.Quad Core processor.2GB RAM.16 GB Flash.Audio Format: Stereo (PCM) audio or AC3 Passthrough (5.1).Video Format: MPEG2.Tablo Dual HDMI DVR Features & FunctionalitySo what are some things that the Tablo Dual HDMI can do? Watch, pause and record live over-the-air TV.Record up to 2 shows at the same time.Schedule recordings (either manually or by using their premium guide service).View and manage existing recordings, by show or movie title. Skip commercials, either manually, or with their premium add-on “Automatic Commercial Skip” feature.Limited whole home streaming to secondary TVs using apps on compatible Smart TVs,  Roku, Amazon Fire TV, & Android TV.View and record series of TV shows, movies, sporting events.View 14 days of rolling Live TV guide and show information (with add-on TV Guide data service) or 24 hours worth without premium subscription.Watch TV in the native MPEG2 – 1080i HD broadcast video quality.Setting Up Your Tablo Dual HDMI DeviceSetting up the Tablo Dual HDMI device is relatively simple.  Here’s a quick video from the folks at Tablo, describing the process from start to finish.Connecting The Tablo Dual HDMI To Your TVTo get started you’ll just put the batteries in the remote, and set the Tablo device near your TV so that it can be plugged in via HDMI.Next, place your antenna in an optimal location and plug your antenna’s coax cable into the coax port on the back of your Tablo.Your USB hard drive should be connected next. Make sure to place it next to your Tablo, and not on top. If placed on top it may restrict airflow which can cause it to overheat.Next, plug one end of the HDMI cable into your TV’s open HDMI port, and the other end into the Tablo.The ethernet cable can be plugged in next, if a hardwired connection is available. If not, then you’ll need to set up a WiFi connection during the setup process.Lastly, you’ll plug in the power adapter. Once plugged in the Tablo Dual HDMI will turn on and the blue LED on top will light up.Setting Up The DeviceOnce the device is connected and the TV is turned on the Tablo will begin the setup process.First it will ask you to connect the device to the Internet. If you want to connect it via WiFi, it will ask you to select the correct network and enter your password.  Once your device is online it will check for firmware updates and ask if you’d like to install them. In my case it did find an update, which I agreed to install. Once any firmware updates are installed it will take you through the process of connecting your TV antenna, and entering your zip code where the device will be used.Once the device has scanned for and found all of the channels in your location you can choose which ones you want to appear in your TV grid guide. I typically leave the ones with a bad signal off of my channel list.Once the channels are added it will walk you through formatting the hard drive to get it ready for use with the Tablo.Once the hard drive is formatted the device is ready to go.  Every new device comes with a 30-day trial of the TV Guide Data Service, as well as the premium Automatic Commercial Skip subscription.Things You Will Need To Use Tablo DVRAs you’ve probably already gathered from the above setup of the device, everything you need to get started is not included in the box. There are a couple of things you’ll need to purchase or have already to complete the package.Digital ATSC antenna and coax cable.USB-connected portable hard drive (USB 2.0 or 3.0, 1 TB to 8 TB in size). See their recommended drives post.If you don’t already have an antenna or USB hard drive you will have to purchase those separately.  When I was setting up this device I already had an antenna that we have been happy with, the Mohu Curve (Now called Mohu Arc). We tend to recommend the antennas from Mohu as they’re American made and they have always worked well for us.We also purchased a 2TB Seagate portable hard drive on Prime Day for about $30 or so. So all in, you could expect to spend anywhere from $50-100 for a good antenna and a decent sized hard drive if you don’t already have spares laying around.Using The DVRUsing the Tablo Dual HDMI device is simple. Just fire up your TV, and turn it to the correct input. You’ll see the main screen for the device where you can watch Live TV, view recordings, search for shows, or change device settings.Typically when you turn the device on it will go directly to the “Prime Time” shows tab, but in the settings you can tell it which tab it should default to on startup.  We set ours to go directly to the “Recordings” tab. The different sections in the app will allow you to search for shows, watch live TV or manage your scheduled recordings or already recorded shows. Here are the different sections, and what you can expect to find in each.Live TV: This tab shows you a Live TV grid guide that lists currently live and upcoming TV shows. By clicking on a particular TV show or movie you can get a synopsis of the program, record an upcoming show, set a series to record, and more.Recordings: This tab will show you a listing of your already recorded TV shows and movies so you can watch them.Prime Time: This will give a listing of prime time TV shows scheduled for the next 2 weeks in your market.TV Shows:  A listing of all the TV shows in your market for the next 2 weeks. Movies: A listing of all the Movies in your market for the next 2 weeks. Sports: A listing of all the sporting events in your market for the next 2 weeks. Scheduled: This shows you a listing of shows you have scheduled to record, along with any conflicts that might arise if more than two shows are set to record at the same time.Settings: This is where you can change your device’s settings including device name, network settings, editing channel lineups, screensaver settings, setting up the remote, scheduling settings, and updating guide data if you think it needs a refresh.Watching live TV on the Tablo Dual HDMI is pretty simple. Just turn on the TV and device, go to the “Live TV” tab, and click on the channel you want to watch.  If you want to know more about a live or upcoming show, or schedule a recording, just click on the show itself in the grid, and then click on “Info”.  A window will pop open with full details about each episode, as well as allowing you to schedule a recording for all episodes of the show, or only new episodes. If you pay for the premium TV Guide Data, you can also set recordings to start early or end late (for sports for example), or set it to keep only a certain number of the most recent episodes.  We use that feature to record one news station’s 3 most recent local newscasts.Once you have recorded a show it shows up in the “Recordings” tab, listed in alphabetical order. You can sort your recorded shows by most recent recordings, sports, TV shows or movies. Once you click into a show it will have a listing of all the recorded episodes by season and episode number, along with a description of the show generally, and each episode individually.  For example, I enjoy watching the old Lawyer crime drama Perry Mason. I got hooked on it while watching it with my mother as a child. We have 277 episodes taped over 9 seasons of the show, all listed nicely by episode number within the interface. Just select the play button on the episode you want to watch, and you’re set to go.Tablo Dual HDMI CostThere are a couple of things to take into account when it comes to the cost of the Tablo DVR. First, there is the cost of the device itself, and then there is the cost of the premium subscriptions for TV Guide Data Service and Premium Service (Automatic Commercial Skip). Personally I think the TV Guide Data Service subscription, which gives you 2 weeks of live TV data and other advanced DVR features is crucial. I wouldn’t love Tablo as much as I do without it.  The Automatic Commercial Skip we do without because it’s almost as easy just to fast forward through commercials viewing the video thumbnails.Here is the pricing for the Tablo devices, and for the premium subscriptions.Tablo Device CostThere are currently 6 Tablo devices that you can purchase with varying features, onboard storage, connectivity and number of tuners.  They include the 2 HDMI connected devices:Tablo Dual HDMI OTA DVR: $149.99Tablo Quad HDMI OTA DVR: $199.99There are 4 network-connected Tablo devices, all with either 2 or 4 tuners.  Two of them also have some limited onboard storage.Tablo Dual Lite OTA DVR: $149.99Tablo Dual 128GB OTA DVR: $169.99Tablo Quad OTA DVR: $199.99Tablo Quad 1TB OTA DVR: $239.99The device we received and are reviewing cost $149.99. NOTE: The Tablo online shop often sells refurbished Tablo units for a big discount. Our original networked Tablo was a refurbished unit when we received it. It’s going on 7 years strong now. Recommend checking it out if you’re looking for a cost savings.Tablo Subscription CostsThere are two service subscriptions available for all devices, TV Guide Data Service and Premium Service (Automatic Commercial Skip). Both services have monthly or annual billing plans.  So what do you get with the TV Guide Data Service? 14 days of guide dataRich cover artSeries and episode synopsesSchedule recordings by time, episode or seriesSchedule full series recordingsAdvanced recording settingsFilters to view content by type, genre, etc.In my mind the full featured guide is well worth the cost, and I sprang for the lifetime subscription years ago (although it was a bit cheaper then). Unfortunately the HDMI devices don’t have the option of a lifetime subscription currently.TV Guide Data CostSo what is the cost?Monthly: $4.99Annual: $49.99Lifetime: $179.99 for network connected devices only.If you choose to forgo the guide data subscription, you’ll only get 24 hours of a basic live TV grid guide, and scheduling programs will be a manual process similar to an old fashioned VCR, setting it to record at a certain time and day.Premium Service (Automatic Commercial Skip) CostThere is a “Premium Service” add-on that gives you Automatic Commercial Skip functionality. It also has monthly or annual payment plans.Monthly: $2.00 Annual: $20.00There is no lifetime plan for commercial skip. Tablo Dual HDMI Pros And ConsSo what are the pros and cons of this particular Tablo device?ProsThere is a lot to like about the Tablo devices, and in particular about the Dual HDMI device.Direct HDMI connection to your TV, which is great if you mainly watch on 1 TV.  Watch TV in the high-quality native MPEG2 – 1080i HD, not a compressed stream.Ability to expand storage up to 8TB.Watch, pause or record live TV.Stream to other compatible TVs in the home.Live TV grid guide that gives rich information about every TV show, movie or sporting event, including cover art.Ability to record entire series of shows, only new airings, or record all of a certain show.The HDMI versions of Tablo DVR comes with a remote.5.1 Surround Sound support.Ethernet or WiFi connections available.ConsThere are a couple of things with the HDMI connected Tablo devices that are less than ideal.No out-of-home streaming to mobile devices, Tablo apps or computers for HDMI Dual or Quad devices. Only network connected Tablo devices have this functionality.In-home streaming only via Fire TV, Roku or Android TV devices. No PC, Mac or mobile device streaming.No option for lifetime TV guide subscription. You can only get that with the network connected devices.No on-board storage, needs an external hard drive. The cons of the HDMI devices are easily overcome by just buying one of the network connected devices as they don’t have the same limitations.  If you’re going to be watching on more than 1-2 TVs, I’d recommend doing that.Tablo Dual HDMI – A Capable DVR For Cord CuttersAs a long time owner of the network connected Tablo over-the-air DVR, I’m a big fan of their products.The Dual HDMI DVR that we received to review has a lot to like about it. It has a lot of the same great over-the-air DVR functionality as the originals, but it also comes with the ability to connect the device directly to your TV via HDMI, as well as giving you a remote to control the device. It also allows you to watch the TV broadcast in the native MPEG2 broadcast signal, ensuring the highest quality video stream.The only downside for some is that the Dual HDMI device doesn’t offer out-of-home streaming, and only offers limited at-home network streaming. If you have a lot of TVs and devices to stream to at your house and on-the-go, it may make this device a non-starter. You may want to look at one of Nuvvyo’s network connected devices.On the other hand if you’re using this device only on 1 or 2 TVs, or as a secondary device at a cabin or lake home, it might be just what you’re looking for. Check out Nuvvyo’s full line of over-the-air Tablo DVRs at their site. We highly recommend their products, and will continue using them as our main over-the-air DVRs. […]