Jen Smith

Jen Smith, Personal Finance Expert and Writer at DollarSproutFeatured Contributor

Jen became passionate (borderline obsessed) with encouraging others to take control of their spending and get their finances under control after Jen and her husband paid off $78,000 of debt in 23 months.

Since getting out of debt Jen has become a best selling author on Amazon, and her writing has been featured in U.S. News and World Report, Yahoo Finance, Money Magazine, and The Wall Street Journal. She has also written for The Penny Hoarder, The Financial Diet, and MarketWatch. She’s also been nominated for best new personal finance podcasts as co-host of the Frugal Friends Podcast.

When Jen isn’t behind her computer she’s a new mom trying to figure out the whole parenting thing.

To learn more, connect with Jen on LinkedIn.

14 Legitimate Ways to Get Free Diapers for Your Baby

As most new moms (and dads) can attest, the number of diapers a baby can go through in a day is staggering. My son is no different. As much as I like to think he’s special, his butt is not. The average child will go through 7,000 diapers before they’re potty trained.[1] At an average…

Jen Smith 20 Nov

The Pink Tax: The Absurd Reason It Costs More to Be a Woman

Women endure a slew of disadvantages when it comes to financial security. Studies show that women on average pay more for mortgages, even though they’ve historically been better at paying them back.[1] Women endure a slew of disadvantages when it comes to financial security. Studies show that women on average pay more for mortgages, even…

Jen Smith 18 Nov

The 6 Step Process to Profitable Craigslist Selling

When I was in college I was always looking to make extra cash to fund my Starbucks addiction. And like most over-caffeinated students, my schedule didn’t leave a lot of room for a part-time job. That’s why one of my favorite side hustles was Craigslist. There’s no account to set up, you can sell virtually…

Jen Smith 13 Nov

15 Smart Places to Buy Discount Shoes Online

I’ve never been up on the latest fashion trends. So when it comes to shoes I’m happy buying discount shoes online or the cheapest brands from big box stores just to have something on my feet. But more often than I’d like to admit, those shoes cost me more in the long run. The sandals…

Jen Smith 24 Oct

Side Hustle Statistics 2019: Who, How Much & Most Popular Gigs

From dog walking to delivering food, there’s a side hustle for every personality, preference, and schedule. Starting a side hustle can be as simple as downloading an app or submitting some personal information on a website. But what you might not be able to tell is if the side hustle is going to be worth…

Jen Smith 27 Sep

Rocket Money vs. Trim: Which App Will Save You the Most?

I recently had to send a fax. Instead of getting in my car to find a store where I could print and fax my forms, I signed up for a free month of a service that would let me send faxes online. One month later I checked my transactions and saw I had a $10…

Jen Smith 12 Sep

The 10 Important Do’s and Don’ts of Choosing a Side Hustle

There are plenty of reasons you might need an extra $50 or $100 in your pocket immediately. After all, tires don’t warn you before they go flat and kids have no regard for how much their stunts cost in urgent care bills. You might also need money fast if you’re trying to pay off debt…

Jen Smith 22 Aug

Postmates Driver Review: 4 Tips for Earning the Most

When it comes to signing up for one of the many apps that deliver dinner, groceries, or even your dry cleaning, there’s no shortage of companies claiming you’ll make money fast with their services. Some have an easy application process, offer flexible hours, and can earn you a good amount of money. One of those…

Jen Smith 22 Apr

33 Cheap Christmas Gift Ideas Under $25 Anyone Will Love

When I think about my Christmas favorites, pretty houses dripping with lights and lots of baked goods are high on my list. But what I really love most is Christmas parties. Christmas parties are full of good food, good friends, hot cocoa, and they always include a gift exchange. White elephant, Secret Santa, grab bag…

Jen Smith 11 Dec

Get Paid to Write: 13 Sites That Pay Up to $450 per Article

When I started a blog four years ago, I had no idea I could get paid to write about anything. Fast forward three years. Now I get paid to write about things I love, and I make a full-time living doing it. Freelance writing can be a great way to make money from home. But…

Jen Smith 21 Nov