Jeff Proctor

  What It All Means The classic “3-6 month emergency fund” advice that is passed around isn’t enough anymore. Income diversification is just as important. It’s been over 6 months since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in the United States. For many that have taken even the most aggressive approach to saving a long-term emergency…

This post was originally written in 2020. DollarSprout turns 5 years old next month. Sometimes I can’t believe we’ve made it this far. They say that over half of all new businesses don’t live long enough to see their 5th birthday. Most fail long before then. It hit me this morning that I’ve never shared…

Editor’s Note: This report is from 2020. We’ve recently released our 2024 Side Hustle Report with updated statistics. If there’s one financial lesson we can glean from the coronavirus pandemic, it’s that a 9-to-5 job isn’t synonymous with financial security. Unemployment is the highest it’s been since the Great Depression, and rising.[1] As a result,…

If you’re looking for an easy way to modestly boost your income each month, paid surveys can be a legitimate side hustle. Answering online surveys for money isn’t a new concept. Every year, dozens of new sites pop up that offer to pay users for sharing their opinions. Some are certainly better (and less spammy)…

Many people think about budgeting in the same way they think about counting calories. They know it’s important but they shudder at the thought of actually doing it. And just like with calorie counting, once someone starts sticking to a budget that suits their lifestyle, they start seeing positive results. Budgeting apps — much like…

Five years ago, if you’d told me I’d be sitting here today making a living blogging, I would’ve laughed in your face. Actually, I probably would’ve said, “What the heck is a blog? And how can you make money blogging?’” Five years ago, I was working as an investment analyst at a financial planning firm….

As another holiday shopping season rolls around, many Americans are making changes to how they approach this year’s shopping. High inflation has had its grip on the economy for the past few years, leaving many people financially overwhelmed. Even with so many planning holiday budget cuts this year, between gifts, office parties, travel, and other…

Picture this: You’re caught up on bills, your fridge is stocked for the first time in a while, and you find yourself with an extra $100 left over at the end of the month. It feels good to finally get ahead, even if it’s just a little bit. But now it’s time to turn a…

You’re broke and payday is still a week away. You need to figure out how to make money fast. Rejoice, you’ve arrived at the right place. Whether it’s the end of the month and you’re short on rent, or you’ve got a small debt that’s come knocking, often all you need is a few bucks…

Another FinCon is in the books, and I couldn’t be more excited about the future of DollarSprout. Me, Ben, and the rest of the team had an amazing time, met lots of new (and old) friends, and learned so much. I came away from our week in Washington, D.C. with a fresh dose of motivation…