From Brick And Mortar to Online: Services You Can Get Now Online From Home

No doubt your routine has changed, whether you regularly work from home or go into an office. Even running errands looks a little different, with stay-at-home orders and long lines due to social distancing during these current times.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t still carry on using services you normally think are only at brick and mortar locations. In fact, there are plenty of things you can do–all you need to do is to alter your mindset and shift from brick and mortar to online services. Here’s a list of services you can use now so you can move from brick and mortar to online and not leave your home.

Online Financial Advisors

One of the advantages of brick and mortar businesses is that you can get in-person help, especially for complex issues. For one, financial planning can be easier if you need to submit paperwork or want to ask a bunch of questions.

The good news is that there are plenty of ways to get the advice and help you need. When thinking about brick and mortar businesses versus online business, going virtual can be useful since you may not need to make an appointment to meet with someone, and many processes can be automated.

Here are a few services to consider:

Paladin Registry

This is a free online directory full of registered financial advisors. Paladin goes through a rigorous vetting process and only features fiduciaries, who are advisors legally obligated to act in your best interest. You can narrow down your search according to certain specialties, locations, and more. Once you find one, you can contact them and schedule a virtual or phone meeting.

SmartAsset Financial Advisor Matcher

SmartAsset is a personal finance company that offers tons of free financial resources. Their financial advisor matching tool helps you narrow down your choices. Start by entering your ZIP code, then answer a few questions about what you’re looking for, get matched up then use their online tools to book an appointment.

Personal Capital

Personal Capital is a  popular personal finance tool that can help you budget and plan out your investments. You can see your net worth in a snapshot, analyze fees from your investment accounts and track your flow. You can seek the help of an advisor to help you manage your investments. Read more in our Personal Capital review.

Betterment

Betterment is a robo advisor where you can invest with no minimums. All you need to do is to sign up, answer a few questions and Betterment will suggest an allocation for your investment funds. There are human advisors who can help you online, though you may need to pay an additional fee. Read more in our Betterment review.

Facet

Facet is another online financial planning tool that offers services at a competitive price. This company has Certified Financial Planners on staff to help you with your financial needs for a flat annual fee. Find out more in our Facet review.

Online Legal Services and Lawyer Advice

Trust & Will

Create a living will and trusts, guardianship, and other types of estate planning documents all online. These documents are all vetted by attorneys–all you need to do is to enter your relevant personal information and your document will be stored online. Read more about it in our Trust & Will Review.

Legalzoom

Legalzoom is one of the most popular online legal companies that can help you create legal documents using their templates and tools, without the need to hire an attorney (though you may want one to check it over). Documents you can get include business formations, trademark applications, wills and living trusts, and copyright registrations.

UpCounsel

UpCounsel has the biggest network of independent lawyers and you can hire them for small to large legal projects like having someone on retainer or a one-time consultation. They can help you completely online using digital signatures and online documents.

Online Banking Services

Radius

Radius is a full-service online bank that offers accounts with free ATM access, cash back with their rewards checking, no monthly fees for their bank accounts, and more. The bank also offers loans and insurance products, as well as business banking needs.

Chime

Chime is a completely online bank and offers over 55,000 U.S. ATMs. You get a free Visa debit card and there are no balance minimums or monthly fees. Read more in our Chime bank review.

Ally Bank

Ally Bank is another completely online bank that provides competitive interest rates on their savings accounts and no fees on their banking accounts. The bank also offers other services like auto insurance, mortgages, and an investing platform. Find out more in our Ally bank review.

Online Tax Services

H&R Block

You don’t need to show up at a brick and mortar location anymore as you can file taxes with H&R Block online. There is a free option if you qualify and there are other options depending on if you’re a W2 employee, a freelancer, or a small business owner. Read all about it in our H&R Block review.

TurboTax

Owned by Intuit, TurboTax is one of the most popular tax prep software, catering to everyone from individuals to small business owners. You can start off by answering a few questions once you sign up then TurboTax will provide the appropriate forms to fill out, all from the comfort of your own home. Read more in our TurboTax review.

Online Accounting and Bookkeeping Services

Bench

You can get professional bookkeeping services and get online accounting tools with Bench. The company partners with different payment and payroll services to make sure your books run smoothly.

Freshbooks

For solopreneurs or freelancers, Freshbooks can help you create invoices and even automated reminders to remind clients. It also has a cloud accounting software to help you.

Online Doctor, Medical, and Healthcare Services

SteadyMD

You can even take advantage of telehealth services. SteadyMD matches you with a doctor after you fill out a quiz.

MDLIVE

You can get access to licensed therapists, pediatricians, and board-certified doctors through this website. You can get consultations via phone, online video, or their mobile app.

LiveHealth Online

You can see a doctor 24/7 from your home. Access the service on your computer or their app. Choose a doctor and get treatment options and a prescription if needed.

Online Psychotherapy and Counseling Services

BetterHelp

This app connects you with licensed therapists online. You can sign up for monthly services which include sessions via video chat and text chat services (with different response times).

Regain

This company offers online couples counseling from your computer or mobile app. Couples will share a joint account and use it to communicate with their counselor via messaging or a live video session.

TalkSpace

Talkspace offers online counseling and psychotherapy services with licensed therapists. You can send them a message and they’ll respond to you one to two times a day.

Online Grocery Delivery Services

Amazon Fresh & Prime Now

Amazon offers grocery delivery services and is free for Prime members. You can shop for pantry or household essentials, plus grocery items and have them delivered to your door within hours.

Instacart

Once you enter your zip code, you’ll find a list of supermarkets near you that will deliver. Simply choose what you want and you can get same-day delivery or within hours. Your Instacart shopper will do the shopping for you.

Google Shopping

Google Shopping is a comparison shopping portal where you can search for items and find the best deals on all sorts of items.

Can you imagine going through a pandemic before internet access was so widely available? Online services have made this time much more convenient and comfortable than it would have been just 20 years ago. It’s also a difficult time to be in business so we’re thankful for these companies and all the others keeping their virtual doors open for us. Stay safe, readers!