MC-Guide

Content Writing

Website 142: Thedollarstretcher.com

How Can You Earn Money Writing For “thedollarstretcher.com” Website

This guide shows you, step by step, how a beginner can learn to pitch and sell stories to newscientist.com

You will learn what newscientist.com wants, how to test your idea, how to write a pitch, and how payment roughly works. You can use this like a small SOP.

Guide: How to research, pitch, and write for The Dollar Stretcher — and how to use related submission hubs like DesertUSA as practice outlets or extra income sources.

Personal Finance · Frugality Beginner Friendly Target: TheDollarStretcher.com

Guide: How to Get Paid to Write for The Dollar Stretcher (Step-by-Step)

This is a practical, beginner-friendly walkthrough that shows you how to research The Dollar Stretcher, build quick writing samples, craft a strong pitch, and submit articles so you can earn money writing about frugal living, budgeting, coupons, and everyday savings.

Where useful, this guide links to the publisher’s pages and to nearby outlets (for example DesertUSA’s submissions guide) so you can learn by example and grow your portfolio quickly.

Section 1 · Know the publication

What The Dollar Stretcher actually publishes

The Dollar Stretcher describes itself as a site that helps people “get more for their money” — in short, practical frugality, couponing, saving, household tips, simple budgeting, and ways to stretch daily spending. For the publisher’s homepage and general mission see their site. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

In practice, The Dollar Stretcher publishes short-to-medium length pieces aimed at everyday readers who want practical, actionable tips rather than long technical personal finance analysis. Common post types include listicles (e.g., “10 ways to save on groceries”), how-to savings guides, coupon strategies, small DIY projects to save money, and reviews of budget-friendly products.

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Reader profile

The typical reader:

Household budget conscious (families, single savers, retirees)
Prefers practical tips and immediate wins (coupons, meal planning)
Wants short, readable articles they can act on quickly

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Article length & tone

Expect concise posts, often 600–1,200 words for web pieces. If you aim for the print-ish monthly edition or deeper features, shorter magazine-style pieces may be considered — but keep the writing practical and “to the point.”

Research tip: open the homepage and a few recent posts. Notice headline structure (how they promise a concrete benefit), the tone (friendly, practical), and the way they use numbered lists and quick tips. These are the signals editors expect. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Section 2 · What to pitch

How to create samples that get accepted

Editors want to see you can finish an article and deliver results. If you’re new, you can create quick, publishable samples in 3 places: your own blog, free platforms (Medium, Dev.to), and niche community sites that accept submissions (for practice). Use these samples as links in your pitch.

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Where to publish samples

Your own blog: Easy to control; create a clean post with images and a small table of results.
Dev.to / Medium: Fast exposure, social validation, and easy linking.
Guest posts on smaller personal finance blogs: Good experience with editors; use lists of paying sites to find opportunities.

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What a strong sample must show

Clear headline that promises a benefit (“Save $300/month using…”).
Actionable steps with exact numbers, receipts, or screenshots.
Short, scannable formatting — subheads, bullets, and images.
A small byline with your contact info and links to your portfolio or social profiles.

If you want a quick practice outlet, consider pitching travel or niche sites like DesertUSA for nature/gear stories (useful if your frugality piece ties into saving on travel or outdoor gear). DesertUSA publishes submission guidance that highlights photo requirements and article formats — a good contrast to The Dollar Stretcher’s shorter, practical pieces. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Pro tip: prepare one “hero” sample (1,200–1,800 words) that demonstrates depth and two shorter, 600–1,000 word practical posts. These form your pitch packet.

Section 4 · Pitch step-by-step

Exact pitch workflow + ready-to-copy email templates

Follow this mini SOP when preparing and sending your pitch to The Dollar Stretcher or similar sites.

Step 1

Find the right contact & reading list

Use the site’s contact page (look for “Submit” or “Contact Us”). The Dollar Stretcher has a contact page where they direct reader queries and editorial contact points — always use their listed email or contact form. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Step 2

Write a short pitch (150–300 words)

Include: 1) Hook sentence, 2) 2–3 bullets showing sections, 3) Link to a writing sample, 4) Your short bio (1 line). Keep it concrete.

Step 3

Attach one sample or link only (do not attach large files)

Editors prefer links to live posts or Google Docs with view permissions. If you attach files, use PDFs and keep them small.

Step 4

Send a short follow-up after 10–14 days

Be polite: “Did you have a chance to look at my pitch?” If no reply after 3 weeks, reuse the idea or pitch elsewhere.

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Pitch template — Email subject lines

Use clear subject lines. Examples:

Pitch: “7 Ways to Cut Grocery Bills — Real family test (500–800 words)”
Pitch: “How I Saved $200/month on Utilities — step-by-step + spreadsheet”
Pitch: “Coupon stacking for busy parents — 800 words with receipts”

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Pitch template — Short email (copy-and-paste)

Subject: Pitch: “How I cut our grocery bill by 30% in 3 months” — 800–1,000 words

Hi [Editor Name],

I’d like to pitch a practical piece for The Dollar Stretcher:

Title: How I cut our grocery bill by 30% in three months (800–1,000 words)

Why it fits: practical, results-first tips for families trying to save now (includes receipts and a downloadable shopping checklist).

Outline:
• Quick intro + the challenge we faced
• Step 1: price comparison + shopping schedule
• Step 2: coupon & app stacking (examples)
• Step 3: meal planning + batch cooking (sample week)
• Quick checklist + download link

Sample: https://yourblog.example/grocery-savings
Bio: [One line: "I’m a parent and budget coach; my work has appeared on X and Y."]

Happy to expand the outline or send the full draft.

Thanks for your time,
[Your name] — [Twitter / LinkedIn / Site]

Section 5 · Money & pay rates

How writers commonly get paid (what to expect)

Publicly available lists and writer guides indicate that The Dollar Stretcher pays around $0.10 per published word for pieces accepted into certain publication channels, and many list it in the category of sites that pay modest flat-rate or per-word fees. Because rates can change, always verify in the editor’s communication or the site’s submission pages before pitching. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

What this typically means in practice:

Short web posts (600–900 words): modest flat fee or per-word payment — prepare to confirm exact amount on assignment.
Longer or magazine-style contributions: may be paid at a higher per-word rate, but are often negotiated per piece.
Some outlets also give contributor credits, promo, or occasional bonuses — but treat initial pay conservatively when estimating your hourly rate.

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Pricing strategy for beginners

Start by building clips; accept modest pay initially to get experience with editors.
Track time spent writing and editing to calculate real hourly rate.
After 3–5 paid clips, raise rates or target higher-paying outlets using your published pieces as proof.

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Money checklist

Confirm payment terms clearly in the assignment email.
Ask about invoicing, payment method (PayPal/bank), and timing (net 30, etc.).
Keep copies of all correspondence and the approved draft for records.

Note: public pay lists can be outdated. Use them as a starting point, but always confirm payment with the editor. Some directories list The Dollar Stretcher around $0.10/word (or small flat fees for short pieces). :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Section 6 · Submission mechanics

How to actually submit: contacts, forms, and attachments

Start at the site’s contact or submissions page. The Dollar Stretcher has a contact page that lists editorial contact options — use that page to find the correct channel for pitches or editor emails. If you can’t find an explicit “Write for us” page, use the “Contact Us” path and address your email to the editor with a concise pitch. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

For other publishers that do have formal submission pages (for example, DesertUSA), follow their explicit guidelines: DesertUSA asks for specific article lengths, photo requirements, and content focus (education, wildlife, conservation for that site) — follow their format exactly when pitching that publisher. Using such editorial pages as models will teach you how to format a clean pitch. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

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Submission checklist (technical)

Include a short subject line as described above.
Send a link to your sample (Google Doc with “view” link) rather than large attachments.
If images are required, provide properly captioned, high-resolution photos (DesertUSA requires photos for many features).
Use polite, professional language and include short bio + contact details.

Section 7 · Ethics & AI

Accuracy, image rights, and using AI responsibly

Always be honest about where info and images come from. Do not use copyrighted photos without permission — if an editor requests photos, provide ones you own or that you have explicit rights to publish (Creative Commons with attribution is sometimes acceptable, but check the editor’s rules).

AI tools can help brainstorm or fix grammar, but do not submit AI-generated drafts as-is. Editors and readers expect accurate, experience-based tips — if you used AI to help draft a section, make sure you verified every fact and rewrote the prose in your voice.

Golden rule: if you would not be comfortable defending a fact, number, or photograph in a live call with the editor, do not include it.

Section 8 · Micro SOP & checklist

Final pre-pitch checklist (use this every time)

If you want an extra practice exercise, pitch the same idea to a smaller site or a related niche (e.g., a local parenting blog or DesertUSA for gear-focused travel savings) — getting an editor to edit you once is incredibly valuable.

Section 9 · FAQ & resources

Frequently asked questions + curated resource list

Q: Can a complete beginner get published?

Yes — especially on sites that want practical tips rather than academic analysis. Build 2–3 strong samples (your blog + Dev.to/Medium), pitch a clear, useful idea, and be ready to revise. Editors prefer concrete, helpful posts.

Q: How long should my article be?

For The Dollar Stretcher-style pieces, aim 600–1,200 words. If you plan a deeper how-to with downloads and spreadsheets, 1,200–1,800 words can be appropriate — confirm with the editor.

Q: What if I see conflicting pay info?

Public pay directories sometimes vary. Use them as a guide, but always confirm payment terms in the editor’s assignment email. (Several directories list The Dollar Stretcher in their pay lists; verify directly.) :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

Useful links (click to open in new tab):

The Dollar Stretcher – homepage — study recent posts and headlines. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
The Dollar Stretcher – Contact Page — use this to find editorial contact info. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
DesertUSA – Submissions & guidelines — example of a well-structured submissions page (photo rules & formats). :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
Freedom With Writing – lists of paying sites — find more outlets and pay info. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
FreelanceWriting.com – Money & finance publication notes — background on The Dollar Stretcher’s payment notes. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
Dev.to — free platform to publish samples.
Medium — quick publishing + distribution.
ProBlogger Job Board — find paid blogging gigs.
Be A Freelance Blogger — pitching and travel writing guides (useful for DesertUSA-style practice).
The Write Life — freelancing and site lists.
Upwork — short gigs if you need practice paid jobs.
LinkedIn — maintain an author profile and link to your clips.
GitHub — host spreadsheets, sample calculators, or downloadable resources.
CodePen — for small interactive demos (if your article includes budgeting calculators or interactive worksheets).