You dutifully filed your taxes by April 15th, and now you’re waiting for Uncle Sam to deposit that extra cash into your account. While it may seem like a license to splurge on that new pair of shoes or a trip to your city’s hottest new restaurant, do yourself a favor and think smart when it comes to your tax return refund.
How Many Americans Are Getting a Tax Refund?
According to The Motley Fool website, about half of all Americans will receive a refund in 2017. The highest percentage of those lucky guys and gals fall into the Millennial category, with 66% of those who filed seeing some cash coming back their way. Approximately half (49%) of the Generation X category of taxpayers will get a refund. Unsurprisingly, as your age category goes up, you’re less likely to see money back from the government: only 34% of Baby Boomers will get a refund.
How Do Most Americans Spend Their Refund?
While you might think a windfall from your return is a cause for most people to splurge, today’s economy says different. Bankrate.com, who’s been studying the tax return spending habits of Americans since 2010, says their research shows only 6% of U.S. adults who are getting some money back from the IRS are planning a vacation or shopping spree. Instead, the highest rate of Americans since the study began are planning on spending it on things they need, such as bills or food. Additionally, 34% plan to save or invest it, while 27% will use it to pay off some of their debt.
What Should I Do With My Tax Refund?
Here’s some unique ideas of what you can do with that tax refund, other than reworking your wardrobe:
Start an Emergency Fund. Unexpected car repairs, getting laid off from your job or even medical bills can jump out at any time. Having a cushion can be crucial.
Invest in Your Retirement. OK, we know it’s not the sexiest thing you can do with your money, but you’ll appreciate it in the long run.
Increase Your Education. Learn more about a hobby you love or more skills for the job you want to move into. Knowledge is power.
Donate to a Charity. Give some money to a cause you love. Even a small amount helps.
Upgrade Your Apartment. Need more space? How about just giving your current apartment a new look? That return can make that possible.
Change the Way You Eat. If you have a pantry full of ramen noodles and stale tortilla chips, now’s your chance to invest in the good stuff. Maybe even take a cooking class?
Pay Off Those Credit Cards. Start with the high interest ones and work your way down. Your monthly budget will appreciate it.
Take Some Time Off. Take unused vacation days and go somewhere you’ve always wanted to. You’ll be more rested and more productive upon your return.
What are you planning on doing with your tax return? Did you even get one this year? Get chatting below!
Inside: Do you want to make quick money? If so, you’ll love this collection of ways to make cash in one day. Start these tasks and start making extra cash fast.
In today’s world, there are many ways to make quick money in one day.
The internet and technology have created opportunities that were non-existent just a few years ago. You can now make money in your PJs from the comfort of your own home! I do!
We all have those times when we need cash fast. Maybe it’s for an emergency car repair, an unexpected medical bill, or a last-minute plane ticket home.
Whatever the reason, there are plenty of ways to make quick money in one day.
We will include some of my personal favorites as well as methods I researched.
In today’s blog post, we will outline the best ways to make quick money in one day.
How can I make immediate money?
If you need immediate money, you need to look for ways to get cash in your hand quickly.
This would be by selling your possessions, participating in focus groups, find a gig job that pays cash tips.
These ideas will get cash in your hand within 24 hours.
How much money can I make in one day?
Many people wonder, “How much money can I make in one day?”
The amount of money you can make in a day depends on a variety of factors, such as your job, side hustles, and financial opportunities.
With a bit of hustle, creativity, and smart financial decisions, it is possible to make up to $1,000 a day.
However, you need to develop a smart strategy for achieving this goal. Investing in education will help you put that money to work growing for you.
This post may contain affiliate links, which helps us to continue providing relevant content and we receive a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the full disclosure here.
50 best ways to make quick money in one day
Making money quickly is possible with some time and effort.
There are a lot of ways to make quick money in one day. In fact, many ideas center around how to make money online for beginners.
Here are 50 of the best methods that you can use to make some extra cash.
1. Work on freelance projects
Working on freelance projects can help you make quick money in one day by providing you with one-off jobs that can benefit from your skill set.
With the percentage of freelance workers in the workforce climbing steadily, there are many online marketplaces that make it easy to connect with businesses and individuals who need your services.
Sites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal allow you to create a profile and showcase your work, making it easy for you to set your own rates and decide on the length of the project.
Additionally, the more experience you get, the more you can charge and the higher your demand will be, potentially leading to full-time work.
2. Sell items on consignment
Selling items on consignment can help you make quick money by providing an easy, fast way to earn a profit from gently used items.
With consignment shops, you can take your clothes, electronics, jewelry, musical instruments, or even your car to be sold without having to take an active role.
For a cut of the profits, your items will be placed in front of buyers, allowing you to make quick cash.
3. Take on odd jobs
If you’re looking for ways to make money quickly, odd jobs are a great way to do so.
Think of day laborer types of jobs. You can use an app like TaskRabbit to find work in your area.
Some of the common odd jobs you can consider include:
Gardening – you can offer to do gardening work such as weeding, planting, mowing, and trimming.
Furniture Assembly – if you have experience in assembling furniture, you can offer your services to people who need help.
Cleaning – you can offer cleaning services to keep homes and offices tidy.
Painting – you can offer your painting services to those who need help with their walls.
General Handyman Work – if you are good with your hands and have experience in repairing and fixing things, you can offer your services to people who need help.
Moving Gig – people are always looking for help with moving.
4. Trade Options
If done correctly, trading in options can help you make quick money and generate substantial returns in a relatively short period of time.
However, trading options come from experience and should not be taken as a get-rich scheme. Personally, I trade options for a living.
You can make quick money trading options if you know what you’re doing. The key is to identify when the market is going to move in a certain direction and then make the right trades to capitalize on the profits.
Here is the one and only investing course I recommend.
5. Become a rideshare driver
Becoming a rideshare driver can be an easy and convenient way to make money quickly.
All you need to get started is a valid license, active insurance coverage, and an approved vehicle. With Uber and Lyft, you can set your own hours and receive a base rate plus tips and distance or time-based bonuses.
From one of our rideshare drivers, we learned some tricks of the trade such as working in peak hours or in areas with popular nightlife scenes or active airports.
6. Offer house cleaning services
Nowadays, people don’t want to learn their own house, so starting a house cleaning service is a great way to make quick money.
With countless opportunities available online or on local job boards, you can easily find a job that works for you. There are even ways to market yourself so potential customers can find you!
If you have a background in cleaning and don’t mind physical labor, you can make up to $25 an hour or more.
Becoming a housecleaner is a great way to make extra money on the side and you can even make up to $200+ per weekend.
With a bit of effort, you could have a great side-hustle in no time!
7. Rent out your parking spot
If you live in a busy area and have a spot that’s in high demand, you can easily rent out the space for a premium price.
This can be especially profitable if you live near an event center and can offer parking to visitors who don’t want to pay a premium to park in a lot or parking structure. You can put your parking spot to work with services like Just Park or Neighbor.com and earn up to $300 per month.
Renting out your parking spot offers a great way to make extra money while utilizing unused resources or space.
8. Proofread documents
Whether you are a stay-at-home parent, a teacher looking for extra income during summer vacation, or someone with a passion for grammar and punctuation, you can make up to $65,000 a year by proofreading documents.
Make sure to take a Free Training Course: Caitlin Pyle offers a free workshop on how to use the most popular proofreading tool and how to become a work-from-home proofreader.
With some hard work and dedication, you can start earning quick money as a proofreader. Good luck!
9. Walk dogs
Walking dogs can be a great way to make some quick money.
Apps like Rover provide pet owners with a platform to find dog walkers in their area and pay for their services.
A dog walker can make $15-18 per 30 minute walk, with occasional bonuses for boarding or pet-sitting. This is a simple way to get your exercise and make cash.
10. Take an online survey
Companies and websites are always looking for consumer feedback in order to improve their products and services, and offer incentives such as cash, rewards, and gift cards for filling out surveys that can take as little as a few minutes.
Popular survey sites like Survey Junkie and Swagbucks offer these incentives, enabling individuals to make a few quid in just a few minutes of form filling.
Most surveys will only take a few minutes, so you will have to do a bunch to add up to serious cash for your feedback.
Here are the top legit survey platforms:
11. Sell your old junk
Are you looking for an easy way to make some extra money? Why not start by looking around your house and attic/basement for things you no longer use?
You can turn those things into cash by selling them online or having a yard sale.
With a little effort, you can easily make hundreds of dollars by selling your old stuff. It’s a great way to declutter your home and make some extra cash in the process.
Make sure to list your items with attractive descriptions and photos to draw in potential buyers.
12. House sitting
House sitting is a great way to make quick money. It allows you to watch someone’s home while they are away and take care of tasks such as feeding pets, watering plants, and taking out the trash.
You can usually make between $25 to $50 per day depending on the market demand in your area. It’s easy to start, with most sites having a minimum age requirement and a sign-up process that takes only minutes. Payment is typically made when the job is completed.
More importantly, beyond making good money, you are able to housesit in beautiful locations that you may not be able to do otherwise. Personally, this is something I want to start doing.
Build your profile on Trusted Housesitters now.
13. Babysit
Babysitting is a great way to make extra money, especially for those who are looking for flexible jobs that match their availability.
Whether you’re an experienced babysitter or a novice looking to give it a try, there’s no doubt that you’ll find plenty of opportunities available. With a little bit of effort and a lot of dedication, you can make a great living out of babysitting.
Most babysitters earn way more than minimum wage making this a great gig.
14. Deliver food orders
Delivering food orders can make you money quickly by taking advantage of the increasing trend in the popularity of food delivery apps.
With driver-friendly apps like Instacart, DoorDash, and Uber Eats, all you need is an insured vehicle and a smartphone to start delivering food to customers in need.
The pay per delivery can go even further if you work on busier nights like Friday or Saturday. With many apps, you can also choose your own hours and the flexibility to work as much or as little as you’d like. This can be a great way to make some fast cash on the side.
15. Earn money with eBay
eBay is an amazing platform for anyone looking to make some extra money by selling items they don’t use. Whether you’re looking to get rid of an old phone, clothes, or books, eBay is an easy and accessible way to do so.
You can start by selling items you don’t need or don’t use anymore.
You can also consider buying items at a low price with the intention of selling them at a higher price.
If you’re looking to make a full-time income from home, selling items on eBay could be a perfect way. You can start small by buying a thrifty item for a low price and selling it at a much higher price.
With the right knowledge and resources, you can make money on eBay easily. So get started today and watch your earnings grow!
16. Write articles for websites
Writing articles for websites can be a great way to make quick money in one day.
With the increasing amount of new content created daily, business owners often don’t have the time to create content for their websites themselves.
Freelance writers can fill this gap by providing quality content for clients in exchange for payment. Depending on the complexity and length of the article, writers can make anywhere from $25 to $500+ in a single day.
By specializing in a niche, writers can showcase their work as samples to potential clients. Furthermore, writers can establish relationships with other bloggers in their niche, guest blogging, and approach websites in their niche with their writing services to further increase their chances of finding work.
17. Become a pet sitter
Personally, I have a friend who makes money by being a pet sitter and has help from her kids.
With Rover, pet owners in your area can easily find and hire pet sitters for their pets. Dog sitting is the most popular pet sitting activity, and it can earn you around $20-35 for overnight stays.
Plus, you get to decide when and how you want to work, and you can fit it around your own schedule. With the right amount of communication and excellent service, pet owners may even offer you recurring gigs.
18. Participate in focus groups
Participating in a focus group can be a great way to make quick money in one day.
Focus groups are usually based on interesting products or services, and they can pay participants anywhere from $50 to $400 for their time. Not only is it a great way to make money quickly, I have found many focus groups can also be a lot of fun.
The hardest part with focus groups is it is not a steady stream of income as you may not qualify for each opportunity.
19. Do yard work
Just like housecleaning, this is a popular job to be hired out.
Yard work such as basic gardening and landscaping, shoveling snow or salting walkways, and even cleaning gutters can all be done for a fee. Advertising your services through flyers, door knocking, or posting on local job boards can help you find potential customers.
By doing quality work, you can turn this into a weekly gig for quick money.
20. Shop at thrift stores and buy low and sell high
You buy items for a fraction of the cost and resell them for a higher price. For example, you can find brand-name clothing, electronics, antiques, and children’s toys at thrift stores that you can resell on online platforms such as eBay, and Facebook Marketplace.
You can also look for items marked as “free” on the side of the road and spruce them up to sell for a profit.
Shopping at thrift stores can help you make quick money in one day, and with time and experience, you’ll discover which items sell the fastest and for the most money.
To make money flipping items, you must do your research upfront and know how much you can pay for something while still turning a profit. With time and experience, you will learn which items sell the fastest and for the most money.
21. Photography gigs
You can make money with photography in two ways:
Turn your photographs into cash by selling them through stock image websites such as Shutterstock or iStock.
Offer your photography services for family sessions, birthday cake smashes, and even weddings.
Either way, you are able to turn your passionate hobby into a way to easily make a decent income in one day.
22. Participate in sweepstakes
Participating in sweepstakes can help you make quick money in one day by giving you a chance to win big.
Yet, this option comes with a lot of RISK!
There are a variety of competitions and prizes available, ranging from online product giveaways and gift vouchers to big-money TV game shows. You want to look for sweepstakes that are free to participate in and not pay money.
This one ranks up there with the left hand itching principle.
23. Use your Writing Skills
Are you looking to make money with your writing skills? There are lots of opportunities available that pay you to write. From blogging to freelance writing, to reviewing music, you can find the perfect job that allows you to utilize your writing skills and get paid.
You can also make money by helping people refine their writing. If you have a good grasp of grammar and can help people write in a more engaging and structured way, then you can charge for your services.
Publications often hire freelance writers, so that’s another avenue to explore.
No matter what you decide to do, there are plenty of ways to make money with your writing skills – all you have to do is find the right opportunity for you.
24. Become a home staging stylist
Becoming a stylist can help make quick money in one day by offering services to those who are in need of help staging their homes for sale.
Realtors often hire outside help to ensure that the home is presented in an attractive and appealing way, and these services can be provided for an hourly or flat fee.
This is a great part-time gig.
25. Donate plasma
You can make money quickly by donating plasma.
Plasma is the liquid part of the blood that contains antibodies. It can be used to create medications and other medical products. Plasma donation is a safe procedure that can help people in need.
Typically, you walk out with cash immediately.
Check with your local blood bank or hospital to learn more.
26. Host workshops
Hosting workshops can be a great way to make money in a short period of time. There are endless webinar ideas you can try, such as live-at-home fitness classes, cooking, a writing workshop, an Excel class, nutrition coaching, or even a first-time homebuyer class.
With the rise of video conferencing, it’s easy to set up webinars to teach people your skills and knowledge.
Typically, you will need to build an online presence with a social media following to hold successful workshops.
27. Trade Stocks
Trading stocks can be a lucrative way to make quick money, but it is essential to understand the risks involved.
With the help of online market trading platforms, anyone can start to trade stocks with a minimum amount of money.
Learning how fast you make money with stocks, but realizing you need to learn to trade stocks is like going back to school for a stock trading education.
Although trading stocks has the potential to generate quick money, it is important to note that all trading involves risk and that you should only invest what you can afford.
28. Become a courier
Being a courier is a great option for flexible income, as they allow you to set your own hours and work as much or as little as you’d like.
Think outside the box of UberEats or Instacart. This would likely be for a local business that needs to move documents from location to location.
You will need to be reliable and trustworthy.
29. Deliver Pizza
Even today, this is a classic gig to make quick money by delivering pizza!
Businesses are desperate for workers, so finding a job should be fairly easy. However, be prepared to work more than one day.
30. Repurpose your skills
Those skilled in writing, graphic design, coding, bookkeeping, or any other number of computer-based skills, can use these sites to find freelance jobs that require their skills.
Additionally, those with knowledge or experience in a particular field can create and sell an online course via a platform like Teachable or Podia.
Too often, we overlook the things that we are the best at, yet repurposing your skills us a great wat to make money.
31. Dog groomer
The income potential as a dog groomer is considerable.
According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), pet owners spent $136.8 billion on their pets in 2022.
Dog grooming is a easy way to make money.
Over to pick up dog poop and you can double how much money you make.
32. Sell your unwanted items
Selling unwanted items on eBay and Amazon can be a great way to make quick money.
By scouring online retailers, local thrift stores, and yard sales for hidden treasures, individuals can find consumer goods for cheap and then resell them for extra profit.
Selling on Amazon also provides an opportunity to source products for fulfillment.
Additionally, apps like LetGo, OfferUp, and Facebook Marketplace make it even easier to make extra money, as people jump on items quickly.
For those with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, buying items at a low price and then reselling them at a higher price can generate a decent side income.
33. Sell Printables
If you’re creative, you can create and sell digital products like ebooks, courses, templates, and graphics.
Digital downloads are also becoming increasingly popular, as they require no shipping or fulfillment costs and you can easily make them once and sell them hundreds of times over. Depending on the craft and the demand, your potential earning potential can be quite high.
In fact, selling printables is a popular summer jobs for teachers!
So why not give it a shot? With the right strategies, you could start making a few hundred dollars a month with very little effort.
34. Crafts and handmade goods
One of the best ways to make money quickly is by selling crafts and handmade goods on websites like Etsy.
From jewelry and candles to sourdough bread to quilts and custom T-shirts, there is a huge variety of items that you can make and sell. You can also design and sell custom stationery, pillows, tote bags, coasters, cosmetics, and more.
35. Dropshipping
Dropshipping is an online business model that allows entrepreneurs to start an online shop without having to keep a product in stock. Instead, a business makes a sale and then passes the order along to a third party, known as the dropshipper, who ships the product directly to the buyer.
Dropshipping is a great way to make money quickly, as it requires minimal upfront investment and overhead.
With dropshipping, you can add products to your store without having to buy them in bulk, and you don’t need to worry about shipping or fulfilling orders.
36. Affiliate Marketing
Renting out your property can help you make quick money in one day by taking advantage of the services offered by websites like Airbnb.
Affiliate marketing is a way to earn money by promoting other companies’ products or services. You can do this without a website, by sharing affiliate links on social media, a blog, online forums, post comments, and with friends or family.
When someone buys a product or service via unique affiliate link you provide, you get paid a commission.
It is possible to make money quickly if you have a social media following or a website, as you can start promoting all sorts of companies, products, services and offers online.
37. Work for tips
Making money quickly by working for tips may sound intimidating, but it is actually very achievable with a bit of hard work and determination.
Tips are normally paid in cash, which is exactly what you need.
Jobs that pay tips:
Waitstaff
Bartender
Bellman
Drivers
Casino dealer
Golf caddy
Babysitters
Also, many jobs that pay weekly work for tips.
38. Rent out your property
These services allow you to rent out a room, a condo, or your own home if you’re away on vacation.
Airbnb has revolutionized the hotel industry by allowing everyday property owners to lease their place to travelers. By creating an account and listing your property, you can immediately start earning passive income.
With the right location, you can create a steady stream of income that can help you make quick money in one day.
39. Join a MLM
Joining a Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) company is one of the most popular ways to make money these days. With an MLM, you can potentially make a lot of money by building a team and earning commissions from their sales.
But you need to be careful and do your research to make sure it’s an opportunity worth pursuing.
MLMs can be profitable, but it can take a lot of time and effort to get them off the ground and make them successful. You need to be prepared to take the time to build your team, train and support them, and provide them with the resources they need to succeed.
Personally, I have tried making money with an MLM and found out that it was not worth the time or effort.
40. Collect and sell scrap metal
Collecting metal items such as old swing set parts, metal toys, and other bits of metal can be sold at scrap yards or redemption centers for a small sum of money.
Iron, steel, aluminum, brass, and copper are the most commonly traded types of scrap metal, and the prices vary depending on the type and amount of metal.
This is a simple way to make money if you put in the resources. Just don’t steal metal because that can get you in severe trouble.
41. Deliver for Food Delivery Apps
This industry is booming with no signs of slowing down. You can easily make $100 a shift by delivering food!
Sign up for driver-friendly apps such as Instacart, DoorDash, and Uber Eats. These apps allow you to set your own hours and work as much or as little as you’d like.
Make sure you have an insured car, truck, bike, scooter, or motorcycle. Depending on what you choose to use, certain apps may have different requirements.
Go to the restaurant and pick up the order. You’ll be paid a flat delivery fee, an additional fee per item ordered, and 100% of the tips customers choose to give you.
Deliver the food to the customer.
Get paid instantly, usually within the same day.
Maximize your earnings by delivering for multiple apps at once. This will give you access to more orders, and a larger area to deliver in.
42. Become A Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistants are in demand right now.
Consider becoming a virtual assistant with no experience to help small businesses with tasks like scheduling appointments and managing emails.
Typically, small businesses are looking for someone to take a short-term 3-month stint or a long-term relationship.
If you have marketable skills, you will make an outstanding virtual assistant.
43. Cook and deliver food
Cooking and delivering food can make you money in one day, especially since the demand for convenient delivery is increasing.
If you are cooking food on your own, you need to check with your local state and city regulations to see if you are allowed to sell food from a home kitchen. These food regulations are tough, so make sure you comply with these regulations.
However, many busy families are looking for a personal chef and are willing to pay for the service.
44. Trade-In Programs
Trade-in programs are a way for people to get quick money by selling their old phones, tablets, and other electronics. These programs give customers the opportunity to receive cash or gift cards in exchange for their unwanted devices.
You can trade in your own unused or unwanted electronics or for neighbors who don’t want to deal with the hassle themselves.
When selling through a trade-in program, customers are usually asked to provide a description of the device and its condition. The amount of money received depends on the device and its condition.
Plus you are helping the environment by keeping old devices out of landfills.
45. Become a social media influencer
If you have a large following on social media, you can make money by becoming a social media influencer and promoting products or services.
There are a number of ways to make quick money as an influencer. You can promote products or services by posting about them on your social media account.
Obviously, you must thrive using social media.
46. Flipping items on Poshmark
Making money on Poshmark by flipping items can be a great way to make cash.
You can find items to resell from big box retailers, online retailers, local thrift stores, yard sales, flea markets, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist. Potential items you can flip for profit include brand-name sneakers, clothing, and purses.
You should also figure out which items sell the quickest and for the most money.
Poshmark also has a “bundling” function which allows you to group similar items together for a discounted amount. This is a great way to make more money as you can sell multiple items in one go.
This platform allows followers, so it is easy to build return buyers.
47. Start a small business or side hustle
Small businesses and side hustles can be a great way to make money quickly. Consider your skills and interests and start something that can help you turn a profit.
No matter how you do it, starting a business can be a great way to make money and meet new people.
Building your side hustle to a full-time income will not happen overnight, but you will make progress with hard work and dedication.
48. Take advantage of Swagbucks
Swagbucks is an online rewards and survey platform that provides numerous opportunities to make money.
With Swagbucks, you can earn money by completing surveys, watching videos, playing games, and even shopping online. With each task, you can earn anywhere from $0.40 to $2.00 in SB points which can be redeemed for cash back or gift cards.
Plus, when you sign up, you get a $10 bonus and can even get 500 SBs for referring a friend.
49. Tutoring
Tutoring is a great way to make quick money while using your knowledge and expertise to help others. It involves providing instruction to an individual or a small group on a particular subject, usually to help them improve their understanding.
Tutors can work with students in person or online, depending on the subject and their availability.
No matter your educational background, you can make money tutoring as long as you have a deep knowledge of a subject. With the right resources and platform, you can find tutoring gigs in your area and start making quick money today.
50. Make money with your phone
Making money with your phone is possible with a little bit of effort. You can sign up for apps to complete small tasks and earn money quickly.
Alternatively, there are plenty of mobile apps such as Ibotta, Rakuten, Shopkick, Swagucks, or Receipt Hog which can help you make some extra money with simple tasks.
You can also take on odd jobs through apps like TaskRabbit to make cash.
Finally, you can trade stocks on your phone.
There are so many ways to make money with your phone today.
FAQ
Yes, it is possible to make passive income. This type of income is earned with little effort or direct work.
It can come from investments such as returns and dividends, as well as from sources like stocks, rental properties, and online businesses.
With some creativity and diligence, anyone can create multiple sources of passive income. It may take months or even years to build up these streams of income, but the potential rewards are worth the effort.
Many of the statistics are leaning on the fact that you need a side hustle to make ends meet or get ahead financially.
I started a side hustle to make money to afford what we wanted to do. Personally, my side hustles are blogging and day trading stocks.
The best side hustles are the ones that you are passionate about. More than likely, you will be spending time on them in your free time, so you want to enjoy them.
Regardless of what type of side hustle you choose, you can make extra money on the side. To maximize your earnings, you can even combine several different side hustles together to create multiple income streams.
I always say, if I can make $100 a day, then I am making $3000 a month. That will make a difference in my personal finance situation.
Before you can make $100 a day, you need to find out how you will make money. Look for opportunities that match your skills and interests. Some examples of this include driving for Uber, selling your skills on freelancing sites, creating an online store, or even starting your own blog.
Learn how to invest 100 to make 1000 a day.
When looking to make $1000 fast, you need to up your game – specifically, the time and energy to make your goal happen.
You could start by looking for high-paying side hustles such as trading stocks or options, becoming a freelance writer, setting off as a virtual assistant, or by selling products online.
The key is to make $1k a day consistently. Then, you will be working on how to turn 10k into 100k.
Which Quickest Way to Make Money in a Day Will You Choose?
There are many ways that you can make quick money in one day.
Whether you want to start a side hustle, do some odd jobs, or make money online, which option is best for you?
Whichever option you choose, make sure that you choose something you will enjoy doing as well as the quickest way to make money.
We covered fifty options to make cash and start making extra money today!
Which one is your favorite?
Mine are trading and writing. Comment below on which method you will choose.
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!
There are five sleeps left until Christmas. Are you as unprepared as I? There’s no shame in that game. Life is just too busy sometimes. If you can’t squeeze in an IRL shopping trip (though the slow-shopping experience is actually rather uplifting), thankfully things like Prime have been invented. There are always those last second gifts that leave you a little stumped. Stocking stuffers, the gift for that last Christmas cocktail party, your best friend who already has everything. But you don’t have to resort to cheesy mugs, bad t-shirts or other tchotchkes. With just a little extra online sleuthing you can, in fact, find some pretty dang looking gifts that will get to your front door with just enough time to wrap up and get them under that tree. Btw, if you think this shopping list might be self-serving because it represents everyone I still need to shop for, you might be right.
1. Showing up at a Christmas party empty handed is a major faux pax, but showing up with a bad bottle of wine is even worse. Why not gift something your host can enjoy long after all of the holiday trimmings are put away. An oversized marble candle is a nice step up from any old candle that you see everywhere. ($29)
2. I’m always hunting for the perfect little stocking stuffer that isn’t just total cheap crap. This lip tint by the organic skincare line Herbivore has purdy packaging and a universally flattering color. ($28)
3. There’s nothing I enjoy more than girl talk over good wine with a best friend. These rose gold tripped wine glasses would be a welcome addition to anyone’s bar. ($65)
4. If you know a cooking enthusiast, it can be tough to find them something interesting, but this cookbook featuring traditional Venetian dishes from famed restaurant Polpo would offer any home-cook a fun challenge. And I’m not just saying that because I honeymooned in Venice and am obsessed with food there and might want this book to show up under my own tree! ($34)
5. There are a lot of flasks out there. This is not a new nor groundbreaking idea for gifts for the guys, but if you’re serious about you guy having a little nip, give him a serious flask. This flask, sold at retailers like REI, is designed for the outdoorsman. It’s made of stainless steel, is leakproof and has a lifetime warranty. Leave those wanna be flasks at Urban Outiftters alone. ($16).
6. Moms seem to always love Christmas decor, but instead of another set of cheesy hand towels, why not give her a piece of cool modern holiday decor like this christmas tree will add cool touch to next year’s holiday trimmings. ($32)
7. Everyone loves cute animals, but they’re particularly fabulous in a nursery. This art print of a highland cow is so dang cute, I’d be happy seeing it anywhere in my house but I think a new mom would be so excited for something that lasts longer than a onsie or an overpriced pair of baby moccasins. ($25)
8. A salt and pepper shaker can be a pretty ho-hum gift, but this set designed by modern home furnishing brand Menu, shows you didn’t just grab something off the discount isle at Target – aka, you care . ($70)
For rest of our Gift Guides, including for Kiddos, Neat Freaks, Coffee Aficionados, Art Lovers, Dinner-Party Throwers, the Hostess with the Mostest, Decorators, Workaholics & Fashionistas, CLICK HERE
I’m also pinning more of my favorite gift picks HERE
Ask Metafilter is one of my favorite sites on the internet; I’ve been an active member there for years. It’s a great place to get advice on many subjects, including money. And careers. Recently a user named Entropic asked a question about “finding your passion”, which received an awesome reply from my pal Grumblebee. Here, with permission (and a tiny bit of editing), is that Ask Metafilter exchange.
Entropic How did you find your passion?
How have you figured out what your passion(s) is/are in life, and how have you translated that into a successful career involving your passion(s)? I am intentionally not including details about myself and my situation because I don’t really want specific suggestions about what might be good career directions for myself or what interesting areas I might pursue. I’m looking more for concrete examples of what steps you’ve taken to find out what drives you, and how you were able to make a career out of that.
Grumblebee Is there a difference between “discover your passion” and “discover what you want to do”?
I ask because I hear people talk about their Passion (with a capital P), as if everyone has one whether they know it or not. As if it’s a special glowing ball inside each of us. Yet I see no evidence that this ball necessarily exists.
Defining passion To me, it’s more likely that we have things we like and things we dislike. A like becomes a passion when it repeats with regularity. For instance, I like peaches, but I don’t constantly crave them. So I wouldn’t call peaches a passion. On the other hand, whenever I see a book, I want to read it. I like reading… I like reading… I like reading… So I’d call reading a passion.
Is there anything like this for you, even if it’s something “stupid” (e.g. watching TV or eating poptarts)? If so, that’s a passion for you. If it repeats with great rapidity (and if the urge is very strong), then it’s an obsession. (I can’t keep my hands off my iPod. I think about it all the time. If I lose it, I panic.)
You don’t get to choose your passions. Since passions are just intense likings, choosing a passion would be like choosing to like eating eggplant. You either like eating eggplant or you don’t. Perhaps, if you don’t like it, you can learn to like it. But right now, you either like it or you don’t.
Finding and feeding passion I’ve met some people who don’t seem to have any strong passions. Some admit to this. They certainly have likes and dislikes, but nothing specific crops up over and over. In fact, some people dislike anything that repeats too often (you could say such people have a passion for novelty). Other people do have passions (defined as I’ve done so, above), but they don’t think of them as such. For many people, their passion is other people: passion for their kids, passion for their families, passion for helping others in need, etc….
Many people think they’ve discovered a passion when if fact they’ve only found a surface activity that lays atop their real passion. For instance, I love working in the theatre. At the risk of sounding holier-than-thou, I believe my passion is pretty “pure.” In other words, my passion for theatre doesn’t hide a deeper passion. I love theatre because I’m fascinated by the specific mechanics of telling stories on stage. When I’m not rehearsing a play, I will choose to read a book about theatre mechanics just for fun (for another dose of my obsession).
I’ve met others like me, but I meet far more theatre people who seem to be using theatre to feed some deeper passion. (Please note that I’m not saying that there’s anything wrong with this or that I’m better than these people. I believe neither of those things. And there are plenty of other activities — just not theatre — that I use as tools to feed deeper passions.)
Such people may be into theatre because they love attention and praise; they may love belonging to an open-minded group (many “misfits” find their way into theatre in high school and stay because they love belonging to such an accepting culture); they may even be operating on autopilot, doing theatre because for whatever reason, they got into it when they were younger and it never occurs to them to quit. (They probably enjoy having mastered something.)
Digging deeper I think it’s useful to delve into your psychology and ask yourself why you like what you like. Sometimes (as with me and theatre), the answer might be “because I simply love the activity.”
How do you know if this is true? Try mentally removing orbiting aspects of the activity: Would I still want to direct plays if no one saw them? Would I still want to direct plays if I could only work with bad actors? Would I still want to direct plays if I hated the results? Would I still want to direct plays if I always got bad reviews? etc. For me, though I wouldn’t enjoy the activity as much in these cases, I’d still want to do it.
This is useful because if you learn what your true passion is (the underlying one, if there is one), you may be able to change your life for the better. You may be able to say, “Wow! It’s not theatre I like, it’s collaboration! Maybe I instead of continuing in theatre, I should look into all sorts of collaborative activities and get into the one that’s the most collaborative.”
Such psychological delving may also help you deal with a crisis: “Oh no! I’ve lost my voice. I can’t act anymore. Wait a minute: it’s not specifically theatre that I like, it’s storytelling! I could write a novel.”
There’s also nothing wrong (and a lot right) with realizing, “I love attention and praise, so theatre is a great activity for me.” In all of these cases, you’ll have learned something about yourself.
Turning passion into a career Once you know your passion, you will be tempted to ask — as you did — “How can I turn this into a career?” I think that’s the wrong question. I don’t think it’s totally wrong. I just think it’s too specific. Instead, I recommend you ask yourself this: “How can I best arrange my life so that I can spend the most time engaging in my passionin its purest possible form and derive the least amount of pain doing non-passion activities?”
I am a director, but I’m not a working (as in “paid”) director. To pay my rent, I have a “day job.” I could work as a director, but I’d have to direct plays that I don’t want to direct. For some people, that would be fine. For me, it’s not a good trade off. I’ll be more happy with the day job and the ability to direct whatever I want — forgoing pay. It took me a while to come up with that “formula,” and it’s a personal one. Mine won’t necessarily work for you.
(If you realize you’re like me, find the least painful day job you can, getting yourself training if you have to. I actually like my day job. And I continually work to make it better and more interesting. The cliché of waiting tables to support your passion isn’t a necessity. If you commit to the idea of having a day job — I’ll likely have one for the rest of my life — it behooves you to make it a good one. Or at least the least painful one you can find.)
I see a lot of people working really hard to make their passion into a job, and — tragically — when they finally make it happen, they don’t enjoy the passion any more. (E.g. a lot of working actors, who got into the business to play Shakespeare or Chekhov, spend most of their time acting in commercials.) If this happens, it’s really worthwhile to do some soul searching. Would I be happier with a day job? Am I happy doing a compromised version of my passion? If I am happy doing a compromised version of my passion, does that (perhaps) mean that what I thought was my passion wasn’t really my passion? (“Hmm. I thought I wanted to act, but in order to do theatre for a living, I’ve had to become a producer. And — hey — I like it. Maybe acting isn’t my real passion. Maybe my real passion is being a key part of a big project.”)
I am not saying there’s anything wrong with figuring out a way to do your passion for pay. Often, that’s a great way to spend most of your time doing your passion. Just make sure that if you’re doing your passion as a job, it’s really your passion that you’re doing and not a perverted version of it that will fail to make you happy.
Putting it all together So, go through this thought process:
I’ve identified my passion as X. I am now going to define X as fully as possible. For X to be X, it MUST include A and B. C is optional. It can’t include D.
I’ve realized that I won’t be happy unless I’m doing X for a living.
Are there any jobs that will allow me to do X as I’ve defined it? (Or that will let me gradually work towards a pure version of X?)
If not, then I need to either brainstorm other ways I could be happy (compromised X? doing X as a hobby?) or resign myself to unhappiness.
If so, then I need to make sure that I can live with non-X aspects of the job. (Wow! I can do full time, paid theatre, but I’d have to work with the dreaded Mr. Y!)
Finally: I’ve noticed that people (myself included) have a strong urge to classify themselves. People really want to be able to say, “I’m a director!” “I’m an engineer!” “My passion is gourmet cooking!”
There’s nothing wrong with that drive, but putting yourself in a category is not the same thing as actually being in that category. In fact, categorizing yourself — since it’s so final — is a good way to thwart any attempt to discover your actual passions. Once you say, “I’m a director,” it’s hard to think, “Wait a minute: is it actually directing that I like or some other activity that directing helps me achieve?” Which is why, at the start of this long post, I suggested you de-romanticize the whole thing and, instead, think about what you like and dislike, rather than trying to pin down your Passion.
Maybe you don’t have a Passion. Maybe you have many likes:
You like playing in the sun
You like watching movies
You like hanging out with friends
If so, you’ll be much happier if you arrange your life to maximize your chances to do these activities than if you expend a ton of energy categorizing yourself.
I am fortunate to have been able to turn my passion — writing — into a career. But even so, some of what Grumblebee warns against is certainly present. As much as I love to write, I have a very different relationship to it now that it’s my job than I did when I simply did it for fun.
This guide was written in an attempt to help my wife & I save money when dining out. Over the last 6 months we have adhered to its principles allowing us to save ourselves a lot of money while still enjoying time away from home every once in awhile. I wanted to share our guide with you in order to help you cut back on your restaurant spending without having to completely cut it out.
When used, the techniques listed below often yield unexpected benefits in addition to simply saving a dollar here & there. Several of these benefits include:
An excitement for frugality – Anyone employing similar methods can vouch for the fact that once you begin practicing frugality in any way, it becomes exciting to see how much money you were blowing but now are able to save. Try incorporating frugality into your life when eating out. It may sound silly at first, but when you get that first restaurant bill after using the following methods you’ll understand just how exciting it can become.
A renewed sense of excitement about dining out – Before attempting to cut back on the frequency of dining out, my wife & I found that we just were not enjoying it like we used to. Once we stopped going out to eat three to five times per week, we rekindled our love with the restaurant experience.
Less of a “nit pick” – When you go out to eat a lot, and you spend a lot, you expect a lot. Thinking back to our experiences prior to our newly adopted frugal lifestyle, my wife & I spent most of our time complaining about what was wrong with this & that instead of focusing on the benefits of the experience itself. Now that we dine out less often, and are very conscious of the entire process, we are more appreciative and patient patrons.
These benefits did not take a long time to be realized. We noticed the first time we began using these techniques we had a much greater joy & improved attitude regarding our restaurant experience. I am absolutely sure you will have the same opinion, so let’s move on and get into the meat of this article. Some of these tips are written to help you eat out less; while most of them will help you cut down on your costs when you do dine out.
Reconsider – Shouldn’t You Just Eat At Home?
This should be your first line of defense when tempted to eat out. My wife & I used this advice just last Friday and saved ourselves between $20 – 40. We decided to stay home and ended up cooking up a nice sized portion of chicken pasta that lasted us for 3 days! We try to limit our dining out to special occasions, and maybe one “just because” night out per month.
Use Coupons To Decide Destination
Having trouble deciding where to go? Visit Restaurant.com and see if they offer any discounts in your area. A lot of times you can buy gift certificates worth $25 for only $10. Keep in mind that most times you cannot use the coupons for alcohol, tip, or in combination with other offers. Also check out if there is an Entertainment Book put together for your area. These books cost a minimal amount, and if used properly can yield savings many times their cost. Let your coupons determine where you will eat. This can actually make it more exciting as you may get to try a place you have never been before, and may have never visited if it were not for your coupon!
Set Spending Limits
Use a ceiling amount you allow yourself to spend and do not surpass it. This can also make the experience more fun as you try all kinds of new menu combinations to try & stay within your budget. It can become a competition to see who can get the best meal yet spend the least.
Order “To Go” If Possible
When ordering “to go” you will not have to buy drinks or desserts, you will not have to face the dreaded “upsell” (see below), and you will not be expected to pay gratuity. All of this will work together to keep your money where it belongs…in your pocket. Although this scenario does not give you the whole “dining out” experience it will offer you a break from cooking & cleaning up at home.
No Upsells!
In restaurant lingo, an “upsell” is anything the server or restaurant staff will offer you in addition to your meal. Normally as soon as you sit down they will not only ask what you would like to drink, they will suggest some expensive mixed drinks, or something of the like. Instead of ordering a soda, coffee, tea, juice, milk, bottled water, or any other type of drink…simply order a glass of tap water. Betsy & I notice that most restaurants are charging between $1.75 and $2.25 for these beverages.
After drinks, they will most likely try to upsell you with an appetizer. While ordering they will want you to get extra “add-on” items like mushrooms and onions on your steak. After your meal you will be asked if you would like any dessert…and maybe even some coffee to go with it! Although these things sound good, you can imagine how much it will end up costing over the course of one meal. Aside from staying home to eat, this may be the single best way to avoid high dining bills. Just stick to the entrees and whatever comes with them that is included in the price. Not only will this save your wallet, it will also save your waistline!
Order Frugally
Instead of the Alaskan king crab & 1lb Maine lobster tail meal, order a nice healthy stir fry or a chicken pasta dish. Remember that you have a spending limit that you set for yourself in step 3 that you must adhere to. If you do order an expensive meal, try to wait for a special occasion, use a coupon, or wait until the restaurant is running a special on the dish.
Split Extras – If You MUST Have Extras…
If you just have to have an appetizer or a dessert, try to split with the other diners in your party. Better yet, why don’t you just wait until you have a coupon for a free appetizer or dessert? Also, keep in mind that a lot of restaurants have free appetizers at different times during the day, so if you must have that Bloomin’ Onion, go during happy hour!
Order Off Kids Menu
My wife has been known to order off the kids menu at different times. Although she does not do this often, some may find that a child’s portion is more than enough for them. The child meals are always much cheaper than the adult size meals.
Order Off Senior Menu
Similar to the children’s menu, many restaurants have a seniors menu. Although all may not let you order off it unless you are indeed a senior, it never hurts to ask. A lot of times in life we miss opportunities because we simply fail to ask! Also like the children’s menu, the seniors menu has prices that are reduced with smaller portions. If both of these options fail attempt to ask the waitperson if you can order a half portion or a lunch sized portion. Again, it never hurts to ask.
Split Meals
This is one of my all time favorites! I always feel like I’m pulling one over on the restaurant when my wife & I order one meal to share. We ALWAYS end up well fed, satisfied, and happy with the fact that we just cut our dining bill in half! For Valentine’s Day this past year we visited one of our favorite restaurants, ordered & split their monthly international five course meal, and got out of there for just over $20…on Valentine’s Day!
Eat Half – Save Half
This is a phrase I coined that simply means to purposely eat only half your meal with the full intention of taking the other half home. My wife & I use this trick when we cannot decide on a meal to split. We simply order separate meals, eat half, and then take the other half home to have as leftovers for the next day. This way we get 4 meals for the price of two. It also helps us to not overeat when we have a huge portion of restaurant food in front of our faces…once again helping the waistline & the pocketbook!
Using these tips, tricks, & money saving methods my wife & I have been able to reduce our monthly budget for dining out from $450/month down to less than $100/month. That is a savings of over $4,000 annually, and is now being direct deposited into our savings account.
If we submit ourselves to God, and are faithful in the little things, according to His Word God will in turn bless us with much. Let me bring to your attention the parable of the noblemen and his servants in Luke chapter 19:
“He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this [man] to reign over us. And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. And another came, saying, Lord, behold, [here is] thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, [thou] wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give [it] to him that hath ten pounds. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay [them] before me.” Luke 19:12-27
Though it may seem silly, we need to be faithful in all areas of our lives, even going out to eat. The Lord will see your efforts and will bless them according to His Will. Praise the Lord!
I am including both a .pdf & .png version of my Frugal Dining Reference Card with this post. Please download this card, shrink it to whatever size you would like, and store it in your purse or wallet for quick reference use when dining out.
Download “Frugal Dining Reference Card”
FrugalDiningReferenceCard.pdf – Downloaded 1200 times – 75.00 KB
This post was written by Matt Jabs. Check out his sites Debt Free Adventure or DIY Natural for more frugality and healthy eating tips.
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Check out the great views waiting for you no matter where you live in Minneapolis.
There are some amazing places to call home all across Minneapolis. With so many beautiful places to choose from, location will undoubtedly be a major factor, but other amenities should also come into play. If you’re moving with your pup, you’ll definitely need a pet-friendly place. If you’re someone who loves having somewhere to chill that’s close to home, an apartment with a solid rooftop space may be the place for you.
Another overlooked feature to consider is the view. What you see out your window, or from other vantage points throughout your apartment complex matters. Whether you want a cityscape view or something completely disconnected from the hustle and bustle of the city, these apartments are where you can find some of the best views in Minneapolis.
Source: Rent. / The Lakes Residences
For a breathtaking view, check out The Lakes Residences. From the rooftop, you can see water, greenery and the city in the distance. Not only is the view great, but the amenities up here are top-notch. Grill out and dine alfresco under the pergola, or grab a seat at a table along the railing. For a more casual atmosphere, take up a spot on one of the couches or the cushy chairs. It’s all up on the roof for you to enjoy.
The big draw of living in this Cedar Isles-Dean community is the lake. Looking out onto Bde Maka Ska, the largest lake in Minneapolis, there’s no shortage of beautiful views of nature. Surrounded by parkland that includes a circular walking and biking trail, you can not only enjoy the lake from afar but get up close and personal. The Lakes Residences even has kayaks and paddle boards when the water starts to call your name.
Source: Rent. / Moment
Large windows and a private balcony combine to give each unit at Moment access to authentic Minneapolis views. Single-pane windows provide so much natural light as well as unobstructed views into the heart of Central Minneapolis. Enjoy the view in private, or head up to the roof to take it all in with old friends and new neighbors alike.
You’ll find Moment in Central Minneapolis, also as downtown. Living here puts you within walking distance of some great places, including U.S. Bank Stadium, where the Minnesota Vikings play on Sundays and many amazing musicians perform throughout the year. You’re also near The Commons, the city’s two-block urban park, and the Stone Arch Bridge which stretches across the Mississippi River.
Source: Rent. / The Original at West Lake Quarter
Bright swaths of sky and treetops comprise the view from the apartments at The Original at West Lake Quarter. Thanks to the sizable windows and private balcony, you can enjoy this view, and the sense of openness it conveys, from any room. This is a scenario where the best view in Minneapolis is more than just something to look at; it’s part of your decor.
Lake and city views await you when you call West Calhoun home. Now named West Maka Ska due to the area’s proximity to the lake, this is a great spot for anyone who enjoys outdoor recreational activities, especially on the water. From here, you can also explore the city via the Midtown Greenway Trail. At almost six miles, this path gives you a great way to get around and indulge in some exercise.
Source: Rent. / Calhoun Beach Club
Meant to impress, the park and lake views from your balcony at Calhoun Beach Club are outstanding. Residents here can always enjoy an unobstructed view of Bde Maka Ska and the lush trees in the park that surround the lake. This Cedar Isles-Dean community is yet another option that utilizes lake views to enhance the value of the entire property.
Views also include Lake of the Isles, Cedar Lake and the soaring buildings in the city’s center. All these breathtaking views aside, this community is full of high-end amenities, including a full-service salon, restaurant and spa services. For the more active residents, there’s an onsite health club, indoor and outdoor pool, tennis court, racquetball court and squash court.
Source: Rent. / Variant
Ready for another spectacular view of Minneapolis’ downtown area? Then check out the rooftop at Variant. This Central Minneapolis community benefits from a stellar location and offers up incredible views of the city’s skyline. What you can see from these small green chairs will blow you away, but the roof itself holds so much more.
While you’re up here eyeing that view, you can enjoy dining alfresco, cooking on the grill or chilling in front of the massive stone fireplace. Strings of Edison bulbs let you take in the city skyline even as night falls. Needless to say, it’s a fun and beautiful place to call home.
Source: Rent. / Eitel Apartments
Catch a perfect sunset or just enjoy the sight of the open sky from the roof at Eitel Apartments. With plenty of seating and a tabletop firepit to keep you warm even when it cools down, this will quickly become your favorite spot in the Loring Park area.
Charming and with easy access to a vibrant art, recreation and restaurant scene, Loring Park is decidedly where it’s at. This central downtown neighborhood is primarily known for its large green space (of the same name) where you’ll find a lake and extensive paths for walkers and cyclists.
Source: Rent. / The Churchill
Take in a totally different view of Minneapolis from The Churchill. Instead of looking out onto the tall buildings, settle into a Downtown West apartment with a view of what’s beyond the city center. From your patio windows, leading out to your spacious balcony, you’ll see a few tall buildings, but there’s also a lot of trees and sky — a magnificent combination.
Considered the business hub of Minneapolis, Downtown West isn’t all work and no play. The area is also known for its theaters and entertainment venues. The best part, The Churchill connects to the Skyway, so you can access everything this neighborhood has to offer, even on the coldest days, without going outside.
Source: Rent. / The Lago
Combine a serene spot with a solid view and you’ve got a winning pair when it comes to living in Minneapolis. At The Lago, you get the best view of the city from up high on the roof. The benefit beyond the sweeping skyline is the chill atmosphere and the awesome hangout spot. Gather with friends around the fire pit and enjoy the moment. That’s apartment living at its finest.
Able to boast it’s the most walkable neighborhood in Minneapolis, Lyn Lake is a great area to live in. You literally have it all right at your fingertips. The area is known for its indie stores, bars, trendy shops and restaurants. You can also hop onto the Midtown Greenway from here for some time outdoors in nature.
Source: Rent. / Laurel Village
How about this amazing view for your next Minneapolis apartment? It’s all yours when you call Laurel Village home. This Loring Park community gets you up close and personal with all the tall buildings of downtown. Having this amazing cityscape view as you hang out on this massive terrace isn’t too shabby either. Seating options range from chairs to couches to four-top tables, while the meticulous landscaping makes it feel like you’re in a park.
Living in the center of the city has more advantages than just laying claim to the best view in Minneapolis. Here, you’re close to award-winning dining, shopping and entertainment. You’re close to sports venues and plenty of locally-loved hangouts as well.
On property, you’ll find a solid amenity package that features a dog park, indoor pool with sauna and whirlpool, theater room and clubhouse. Available services include dry cleaning, package delivery, pet sitting and even plant care.
Source: Rent. / Heritage Landing
The high-rises of busy downtown are off in the distance at Heritage Landing, so when you step out on your balcony, the view tells a more mellow story. Right out front, you’ll see the varied architecture that makes up the Warehouse District. Buildings of all shapes and sizes give this whole area a more historic feel and make your view that much more dynamic. And, although you can see the urban center of the city standing tall off in the distance, what you have right around is a little more homey.
Full of scenic walking paths along the Mississippi River waterfront, when you live in the Warehouse District, you’re truly in the place to be. Also called the North Loop, what was once more of an industrial area is now full of amazing shops and restaurants. A lively neighborhood, there’s also a strong nightlife scene and lots of people out having a good time.
Make sure you have the best view in Minneapolis
With so many great neighborhoods in Minneapolis, it’s not so easy to narrow down your options. The best way to thin out the list is by the amenities available within the communities.
Make sure you get as many must have’s as you can, but don’t forget about that view. In a city like Minneapolis, you can see a lot of great things as long as your window faces the right direction.
Last month, Alison from Diamond-Cut Life shared a guest post about providing lodging to a housemate in exchange for work (instead of rent). Her story prompted a number of readers to ask about the mechanics and practicalities of actually renting an extra room to generate income. For example, Penny wrote with the following:
In August, my brother-in-law moved in with us. By December, he couldn’t find a job, so moved back out. While I had mixed emotions about his leaving, I did lament losing the potential income, because I thought my husband would never agree to renting a room to a stranger. Imagine my surprise when I mentioned the idea and he agreed to it.
I need some advice as to some things we should consider when finding a renter.
What would be the best way to charge for rent? Flat monthly rate with utilities included? Weekly rate plus a third of the utilities? In our immediate area, rooms rent for $485-500 with utilities, or $125/week plus a portion of the utilities. I’m torn between the two modes.
What sort of keywords should I put in the advertisement that would help find the right fit?
How would food work? I don’t mind cooking for everyone; in fact, I love it, but I don’t want to pay for all of their board.
Any other suggestions? Am I being too specific?
Our situation is a bit unusual, because we’re sort of urban homesteaders. We have gardens all over our small yard. We don’t use the dryer or the air conditioner. We use wood heat in the winter. Our family hunts and fishes. Will these things matter?
I’m curious about this, too. I don’t know anyone who has ever rented out a room, so I don’t know the process — and I don’t know if the income is worth the hassle. I do have friends, though, who have been on the other side, who have rented rooms from people in Penny’s position. During college, for example, my friend Andrew rented a room in a converted garage. But although the garage was attached to the house, but he didn’t interact much with the family he rented from.
If I were doing this, I’d check with my lawyer and accountant to be sure I was fulfilling my legal obligations, as well as protecting myself from possible problems.
I’d love to hear anecdotes from other readers. Have you ever rented out a spare room? Or have you ever been on the other side? Have you ever rented somebody else’s spare room? What did you learn from the experience? What advice would you give to somebody who was hoping to generate a little income by renting out space in their home, garage, or attic? And, finally, do you have any specific advice for Penny?
Pretty much since I learned to walk, I have had an unusual disdain for waste. I noted the inefficient route of the school bus and wondered why it couldn’t just pick us up at a few centralized locations. Tracked my allowance with multi-year forecasts and kept the dollar bills organized in a photo album. Always cast a fiery eye towards a fridge or a front door left open, a car left idling, or a credit card bill left unpaid.
This odd condition has proved to be profitable over the years, as I have naturally sought out ways to use less energy and waste less money, with very positive side effects like getting to spend more time outside and retiring from work relatively early.
This is the reason the concepts of money and energy efficiency mingle so freely on this supposedly-financial blog: you can look at your energy consumption as a very close measure of the wastefulness of your life. The ideal life, even a very modern one, will require you to spend very little of your earnings buying energy. This is a contrarian opinion for me to hold in this world of Peak Oil and energy shocks, but check out the evidence:
Transportation: The Mustache family uses less than 3 gallons of gasoline per month for most of the year. This changes for special occasions like family roadtrips, but by following the basic principles of avoiding commuting and car clown local driving, and using the bikes for errands like groceries, driving is cut by almost 90%. Savings: about $10,000 per year compared to an average family.
Electricity: Although our current 2600 square foot house is oversized for three people, we manage to run it these days on 243 kWh per month, which costs about $25.00 even when offsetting 100% of the use with more expensive wind energy from the local utility. This is done by being reasonable with the air conditioning, letting our bodies toughen a bit as the seasons change, line-drying the clothes, and using CFL and LED light bulbs*. Savings: About $1000 per year
Heating: I have upgraded some of the insulation in this house, added some South-facing windows and plenty of thermal mass, and seal the curtains and shutters up tightly on winter nights while the programmable thermostat keeps the house at 62F during the nights, 67 during the day. The water heater is in an insulation blanket and we use a low-flow showerhead. Because of this our spending on natural gas averages out to $25 per month ($300 per year), which includes all heating, hot water for showers and dishwashing, and cooking. In contrast, the average US house spends $400 on water heating and another $960 on heat, meaning we enjoy Savings of $1060 per year.
When your bills are this low, it becomes a bit difficult to save money on energy by buying high-tech upgrades. I could get a Nissan Leaf electric car, but it would sit unused in the driveway just as much as the Scion xA currently does. Could replace my 80% efficiency furnace with a 95% efficient one for $4000, but the payback period would be decades. Better to just add $100 more insulation or get a nice pair of slippers to drop the existing furnace use even more. We spend about $5 per year on electricity running the air conditioner – I’d sooner remove it altogether than upgrade it. I can’t even upgrade my city bicycle, which cost $300 brand-new in 2008 and has over 4000 miles of errands on it, because it still works perfectly and gets me around very quickly. This whole picture is an example of a Non-Emergency Energy Situation. Spending is minimal and further optimization is difficult, so energy use fades into the background where it should be.
So when does energy use become an emergency? There is no single fixed rule, but the following are some warning signals:
When energy is unusually expensive: While living in Hawaii last winter, I noticed that their electricity is generated by burning tankerloads of imported oil, which is reflected in the 30 cent/kWh price (300% of what I pay here). And all the water is electrically heated – furiously expensive. To compensate, we took many of our showers just by jumping into the turquoise-blue ocean and outfitted the Vacation Suite project with GU10 LED bulbs in its track lighting system, which use 85% less power than halogens. People who live in the Northeastern US who rely on heating oil are in a similar situation for heat.
When more than 5% of your income is on spent on energy and gasoline: Bumping up your savings rate by 5%, for example from 10% to 15% of income will slice 8 years off of your working career. Is worth working 8 more years just to stand at the gas pump?
When you have a rattly almond-colored fridge with fake woodgrain handles: Last year I ran some tests on an old fridge that a friend still had in operation. It was burning 110 kWh per month, or $135 of electricity every year. For $300 he replaced it with a nearly-new fridge from Craigslist and I measured it again. This one used 62% less energy, saving him $83 per year, which is a spectacular 28% annual return on investment! When you do the math, many of the lower-cost energy upgrades described in this article will return even more than the stock market over time.
When you find yourself driving around regularly in a car that gets worse than 35MPG: Imagine that your only vehicle was an 84-foot double-trailer Walmart semi, stuck in first gear with no muffler and a bed of nails for the driver’s seat. Would you take it down to the drive-through? Probably not. This is how ANY sub-35MPG vehicle should feel in your mind to drive regularly. It’s an emergency! Sell it! Replace it with a reasonable car!
My own Plan for Energy Efficiency
The latest sketchup model is fully detailed, and structural engineering is almost done too.(Thanks Mike B and Chris G!)
Because energy consumption is one of the biggest issues affecting humanity these days, I’ve decided to go just slightly overboard when renovating the new house. It presents an ideal blank slate for this experiment because in its current condition, it is an energy emergency. It came with almost completely uninsulated walls and ceilings, and a drafty crawlspace that lets winter air blow directly in from the outside. I found it both ridiculous and amazing that the house has existed in this condition, wasting energy for almost 60 years.
But through this blog, I had the good fortune of hearing from a reader/energy expert named Roch Naleway who manages a department of GP Conservation products. Born in Germany and having lived in the Netherlands and now Portland, Oregon, you can imagine the strict views this man has on energy efficiency. And he has been lecturing me to take my own own game to the next level on this project.
Insulation: The new insulation will be a combination of sprayed-on foam insulation, rigid foamboard with foil backing, and standard batts. The roof, all-important in a wide flat house like this one, will be insulated to R-50.
Free Solar Heat: The amount of South-facing glass in the house should provide more than enough to heat the entire structure for most of the cool season, since my region gets over 300 sunny days per year.
Supplemental Heat: The house currently has an old gas furnace with creaky mouse-filled ducts. This will be replaced with a 95%-efficiency gas boiler and radiant under-floor heat installed between the ducts from the crawlspace side. Although it will hopefully not be used much, it will be a luxurious and efficient way to warm the house, and an excuse for me to learn how to install a multi-zone boiler heat system. Also nicely compatible with roof-mounted solar water heating panels in the future.
Electricity: I will be installing a very fancy clothesline overlooking the park, and no air conditioning system at all. With LED lighting throughout, our bills should be even lower than they are today. With usage this low and a local utility that discourages grid-tied solar installations, solar panels are not practical at this time, but I will probably do some off-the grid experiments in the future – stay tuned.
Water Heating: Either a tankless natural gas heater or an electric heat pump water heater will get the job done here. I will supplement it in the summer with a Hawaiian-style outdoor shower that gets its heat entirely from a simple coil of black irrigation pipe mounted on the roof.
As the final bit of this energy efficiency experiment, I just ordered a fine new tool which should come in handy for both the blogging and construction “businesses” : an 8-foot-long bike trailer from Bikes at work that can carry huge items up to 300 pounds. With my new house only 1.7 miles from the Home Depot, I plan to use this to haul most of the construction materials, eliminating countless trips in the van and giving me some serious leg training in the process.
Energy Efficiency Shopping: If you find this field as interesting as I do, I recommend browsing around GP Conservation’s site. If you have questions about the field, ask them in the comments and I’ll try to get Roch to spend an entire workday answering them for us.
Further Reading: Wired Magazine comments on how we’ll all be using almost entirely clean energy by 2050 – I sure hope so.
* I recently upgraded the last frontier – the kitchen – with higher-end LEDs from GE. These were the first LED bulbs I found with a sufficently good “color rendering index” to make the food look tasty, and thus they finally allowed me to remove the power-hungry halogens.
I spent a couple hours this morning performing what ought to have been a simple home-maintenance task. The light fixture on our front porch had gone faulty, and I needed to replace it. I’ve done enough wiring projects now that the electrical aspect of the job didn’t bother me. But the woodworking? That was frustrating.
As I fumbled with the jigsaw (“Drat! Another blade bent!”), I wished again that I practiced woodworking more often. I have several friends who do so, and the skills they’ve learned help them to save money around the house. My incompetence this morning gave me plenty of time to reflect on the value of productive hobbies.
Productive hobbies When I was younger, I spent most of my spare time reading comic books and playing video games. There’s nothing wrong with a little self-indulgence, but the older I get, the more I appreciate hobbies that provide practical skills. Productive pastimes are not only fulfilling, but they can also help save money. (Sometimes they can even generate a little income!)
Here are a few hobbies and pastimes that can help to save (or make) money:
Gardening. Kris and I aren’t yet finished with our year-long garden project, but already we know that it has saved us money. (Find out just how much when we post an update this Saturday.) Even if it did cost a little more, it’s fantastic to have fresh food just feet from the front door. You don’t need a lot of space to start a garden. Consider square-foot gardening or container gardening.
Photography. Cameras can be a money sink, but photography doesn’t have to be expensive. You can have a lot of fun with a cheap point-and-shoot digital camera. With practice, you may even be able to make money selling digital photos online. I know several people who do this (and I’ve done it myself).
Woodworking. Carpentry is another hobby that can consume a lot of cash. But if you have the space and the time, you can also develop skills that yield big dividends in the long run. If I’d taken the time to learn woodworking, I wouldn’t have to pay a contractor to do some of our remodeling projects. (And I wouldn’t have cut a four-inch hole this morning when I only needed a three-inch hole.)
Knitting. As with many hobbies, knitting can be expensive, but there are ways to make it less so. Nell at Octopus Knits has pattern companies and yarn folks giving her product (yarns & patterns) to try. Some of my friends have taken commissioned projects. Kris is learning to knit adorable little stuffed animals; she could sell them for $20 a pop.
Computer repair. Because I’ve always been a computer hobbyist, I’m able to troubleshoot computer problems instead of paying somebody to do it for me. Before I turned Mac, I also saved money by building my own machines. In fact, for a couple years, I supplemented my regular salary by helping friends and family with their computer problems.
Art. Last week, I pointed to the work of lillyella, whose art generates enough income through her Etsy store that she now does it full time. In the past, I’ve also mentioned Ayla, a teenager who sells her art glass at the local farmers market. Kris has a friend who is learning how to work with stained glass, but just for fun.
Cooking. My friend Laura has a group of friends that love to cook. They recently organized a cooking evening to provide freezer meals for each of them. They decided on six menus, assigned the shopping, borrowed a church’s kitchen, divided duties like cutting, slicing, dicing, mixing, frying, cleaning, split the costs and each went home with six different items for future use. But even learning to cook for your own family can save you a lot of money.
Baking. Baking is fun for its own sake, but it can also save you money with gifts. Who wouldn’t rather have a couple dozen home-baked cookies than another useless mug? Some people can even turn this skill into a career. My aunt turned a baking hobby into a business, creating cakes and catering weddings. She provided jobs for several other family members, too!
Canning. Though Kris has always enjoyed canning, this summer has been amazing. She’s discovered it’s a hobby she truly loves. She derives immense satisfaction from preserving her own food. “It’s comforting to walk into the pantry and know that I made all of this,” she said recently. “I know where the food came from, and I know that we’ll be eating it all winter.” Though the start-up costs are a little high, they repay a hobbyist in time.
Making music. My friend Michael has a musician friend who plays the piano and has been paid to play at private events. He has another friend with a great voice. This man loves to sing, and he and his friends hire themselves out as a quartet around Valentines Day and to sing Christmas carols during the holidays. (I’m always jealous of my musical friends. I know it’s hard work to become proficient, but it looks like such a fun way to stay entertained.)
Vehicle maintenance. I know little about cars. I wish I knew more. Knowing even basic vehicle maintenance can save you big bucks. I once knew a guy who performed nearly all his own auto work. He could buy a junker car, fix it up, and resell it at a nice profit. He wasn’t going to get rich doing this, but he enjoyed the hobby, and it kept him in money for his own vehicle.
Physical fitness. You’ll never get rich running road races, but there’s no question that a healthy body can save you money. Find a physical activity you enjoy: biking, running, hiking, dancing, yoga, weightlifting. Play a team sport. Regular exercise can be fun, but it will also save you money in the long run.
The possibilities are limitless. There are countless fun and interesting hobbies that can either save you money, or maybe help you earn a little on the side.
Quick tips You’ll notice that none of these hobbies involve collecting. I’m an inveterate collector myself (comics, books, notebooks, movie serials, music of the 1920s, …), so I know first-hand how expensive it can be. Some would argue that it’s a form of compulsive spending, and I can’t really disagree. Since I’ve begun focusing on hobbies that involve doing rather than getting, I’ve spent much less money.
For some hobbies, equipment can be prohibitively expensive. In these cases, you may be able to find used stuff on Freecycle or Craigslist, or you may be able to begin with low-end gear. (This isn’t always a good option. If you think you’re going to be doing a lot of running, you should buy a quality running shoe from an expert, and not settle for cheap sneakers, for example.)
In many cases, it’s possible to jump-start a hobby by taking a course at a community college or community school. I spent a year taking photography classes, for example. The instruction and experience were invaluable, and helped me develop the skills necessary to actually sell a couple photos.
My friend Michael likes woodworking but can’t afford (and doesn’t have space for) all of the equipment. When he needs to build something, he signs up for a community college woodworking course so that he can use industrial woodworking tools at a reasonable cost.
Further reading I’m a big fan of productive hobbies, and I’m not the only one! Here are some articles on the subject from around the web:
Don’t forget that hobbies are an excellent way to make gifts for less than it costs to buy them. Kris sometimes knits gifts for special occasions. Most years she gives some sort of home-made food to our friends for Christmas. I sometimes give photographs. One of the best birthday gifts I ever received was a batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies.
By Peter Anderson16 Comments – The content of this website often contains affiliate links and I may be compensated if you buy through those links (at no cost to you!). Learn more about how we make money. Last edited November 4, 2011.
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Christmas time is only a month and a half away! At our house it’s one of the most joyous times of the year as we celebrate the birth of our savior, and revel in all the blessings we have seen in our lives during the year. This year we’re celebrating the birth of our first born son – and he’s celebrating his first Christmas!
The most important parts of Christmas aren’t physical or material things, but in our culture it’s often expected to give gifts during the Christmas season. Because of that, if you’re not careful it can quickly become one of the most expensive times of year. If you’re trying to cut down on spending, like we are at our house, it can become a challenge to find creative gifts to give.
Check out the newly expanded list: 100 Frugal Christmas Gifts
Here in this post I thought I would put together a list of ideas for some good frugal gifts that you can give this Christmas.
NOTE: The frugality of the gifts vary from gift to gift, but I’ve linked some possibilities on Amazon. You can probably find some cheaper ways to put these things together yourself if you try. Feel free to chime in on the comments section down below with your own frugal gift ideas!
The Big List Of Frugal Gifts
Baked goods: I don’t know any guy who wouldn’t love to get a box full of cookies, banana bread and pastries! (Hint: not good for someone on a diet)
If you’ve got an old laptop, make a frugal digital picture frame out of it!: At 14-15″ it’ll be bigger than most you buy at the stores, and cheaper since you’ll be using old parts!
Personalized Calendars: Most photo processing places will have these personalized calendars you can buy, or pick up pre-made ones in Target’s dollar bins. Get photos of you and the person you’re giving the gift to in each season, and place them in the appropriate month/season of the year!
Themed gift baskets: Give a themed gift basket. For example, a movie night theme basket with microwave popcorn, a movie or two, and some cheapo popcorn buckets from Target dollar bin.
Custom t-shirts: Create your own custom t-shirt for a family member on Cafepress. It can be cheaper than you think!
Scrapbooks: Make a scrapbook for a close friend showing moments you’ve shared together. My wife did this for a friend’s wedding. Very meaningful.
Donation to a local charity: Give to a local charity in someone’s name. Make sure it’s a charity that they would actually give to.
Handmade Christmas ornaments: make personalized Christmas ornaments for your friends and family!
Board Games: buy a board game, a gift that gets the family together and keeps on giving all year long! Even better, if you can find some board games at garage sales or on ebay, create a themed game night gift basket (see above)!
Family history DVD: Put together a family history DVD with photos, written family histories, family tree, video and anything else you can think of.
Framed family picture: Take a picture at a family event, frame it, and give it as a gift!
Coupon Books: Make a personalized coupon book with such favorite coupons as “back rub”, “dinner” or “clean the house”.
Make a blanket: make a nice fleece blanket. Instructions here.
Make some custom painted wine glasses: Make some custom painted wine glasses, and then give them along with a bottle of wine. Instructions here.
Give a magazine subscription: My brother loves reading National Geographic and the Economist. We gave him subscriptions as a gift.
Romantic evening gift set: Candles and silk flower petals! Cheap and fun!
Keeping warm gift set: Give a gift set of hat, scarf and gloves. Add long underwear as well if you wish!
Leatherbound journal: buy a nice leatherbound journal at your local Borders or Barnes and Noble. They make for a nice gift. Add a nice pen if you want to pay a little more.
Craft Kit: Put together a crafting kit with things like markers, glitter, scissors, clay, crayons, glue, paper, etc.
Photo Collage: If you’re handy with Photoshop or another image editing software, create a photo collage/montage, print it out and frame it! Or if you don’t have Photoshop, print separate pictures and create a collage.
Movie Tickets: Buy a pair of movie passes or a movie gift card for someone to go see a movie. Not as cheap as it used to be :).
Buy a single stock: Buy a family member a single stock to get them started, and give them a copy of a finance book like Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover (although you may want to stress that you’re giving it because it has helped you. People can get touchy about money related gifts)
Flannel Sheets and PJs: Buy a keeping comfy gift pack with flannel sheets and pajamas!
Coffee lovers gift pack: Buy some gourmet coffee and a personalized coffee cup for the coffee lover on your list.
Set of soaps, towels and soap dish: Put together a nice matching set of hand towel and soap dish, and then give some handmade soaps.
Big breakfast gift pack: Put together a gift pack with pancake mix, batter dispenser, syrup and pancake mix-ins.
Puzzle day: Give a gift pack of a puzzle and snacks to eat while you do the puzzle!
BBQ Kit: Get some BBQ sauce from local source, and add it to a nice BBQ Utensil kit.
Basket of spices and seasonings: Put together a basket of seasonings and spices from a local spice or grocery store. Make sure to get a good mix for cooking, BBQs, etc.
Netflix subscription: Pay for someone to have netflix for a couple of months. If they have a connected device, they can even stream movies!
Deck of cards and book of card games: Buy a cheap pack of cards, and a book listing the rules of different card games. Good for hours of fun!
Cheap keychain digital picture viewer: Buy someone a cheap digital picture viewer keychain (around $20?) and fill it with pictures.
Bath time gift pack: Buy a nice wash clothe, some bath oils/beads and even some lotions at your local bath store.
Laser Etched Crystal: Need a unique Christmas gift? Turn any photo into a 3D crystal image. While this isn’t the most frugal option on the list, if you’re looking for something special, you can find something well under $100. Use coupon code HOLIDAYCHEER to save 30%.
Botanicals: buy a nice low maintenance plant to brighten up their day, along with a small watering can.
Make a recipe box: If you’re good with wood, make a nice recipe box, and fill it with blank recipe cards.
An appreciation book: Get a nice journal, and write in it to the person about how much you appreciate them, things you love about them, shared moments and experiences and general encouragement. Even add a few photos.
Book gift pack: Find some books on your own shelf that you’ve already read, and put together a gift pack of books
Chocolate attack!: Put together a gift pack with all kinds of chocolate. Hot chocolate, chocolate bars, truffles, etc.
Car wash kit: Put together a kit for washing the car. Can include things like sponge, tire brush, bug remover, car soap, etc.
Regifted items: Did you get a 2nd crock pot last Christmas that you haven’t used? Give it away this Christmas (to someone other than who you received it from)
“That’s a spicy meatball” gift pack: Give them a nice italian dinner with a pasta bowl, pasta, strainer, fancy olive oil, pasta utensils and even some sauce.
Give your service: Good at cooking? Offer to come over and cook a gourment meal. Are you a designer? Offer your design services for free. Good with computers? Offer free tech support. You get the idea.
Wine and cheese gift pack: Buy a variety of specialty cheeses, crackers and a bottle of wine. Put it together and you have one gourment evening!
Picnic pack: Put together a picnic pack with a blanket, a basket, some cheap utensils and plates.
Sewing Kit & lessons: put together all the sewing essentials (thread, needles, pins, etc) and then give the person lessons on how to sew.
Gardening gift pack: Buy the person gardening gloves, gardening tools and some seeds. Put them all in a small bucket or waterging can.
Handmade jewelry: Make a handmade necklace or bracelet at a local bead or craft store. Give it as a meaningful gift.
Music lover’s delight: give an itunes gift card, along with a book about their favorite artist or band
Beer afficionado gift pack: Give a beer mug, snacks and gift card from a local brew pub.
A Birdhouse: Give your loved one of these bluebird houses so they can relax on the porch and watch the colorful avians.
Outdoorsman gift pack: Put together a gift pack with a leatherman mini, a pair of choppers, and an aluminum water bottle (or your choice of other outdoor gear)
Used electronics: Have an extra MP3 player and know someone who needs one? Clean up your spare and give it as a gift!
Art lovers gift pack: Get a free photo canvas of one of your favorite photos, along with supplies to hang it. If the person is artistic, put together a gift pack with art supplies!
Give a memory photo book: Give the person a photo book that includes memories of you and that person together.
Active lifestyle gift pack: Put together some small gifts like a BPA free water bottle, workout video or video game and some wristbands. Be careful not to offend anyone with this one. 😉
Accessories: Know someone with an Ipod? Give them an Ipod accessories pack. Father with a cell phone? Give him cell phone accessories.
Host a party: Instead of giving gifts to a large group of friends, invite them over for a Christmas party that you host.
Gingerbread house kit: Give all the things needed to make gingerbread houses, along with recipes for frosting and building instructions. (Best if given before Christmas)
Give the gift of a blog: Know someone who might enjoy blogging? Buy them a domain name, setup their blog and host them on your hosting account if you have one! Buy a copy of my ebook for them!
Give the gift of communication: Know an older member of the family who doesn’t have a cell phone? Buy them a cheap pre-paid phone and a small amount of air time. As cheap as $20-30!
Take someone out to dinner: Take a friend or family member out to dinner at a reasonably priced restaurant on the house!
Tea gift pack: Give a nice teacup along with a selection of teas.
Make a music mix: Purchase some of your favorite music for someone from Itunes and put it on a thumb drive or CD-RW! (no illegal content distribution folks!)
Make a memories CD for a parent: If you’re younger make a memories CD for your mom and dad with photos, audio or video of you talking about good times you’ve shared, and maybe some written memories.
Yard Work Coupons: Have an elderly family member or friend? Make up some nice looking coupons for free yard work or other odd jobs on your computer.
Scrappers gift pack: If you know someone who enjoys scrapbooking, put together a nice canvas bag with scrapbooking materials, and maybe a gift card to Michael’s or other craft store.
Sports gift pack: Know a kid who enjoys sports? Put together a sports gift pack with equipment for several different sports.
Recipe gift pack: Give the gift of several of your favorite recipes, and a gift card to a local grocery store.
Create a memory jar: Have a bunch of friends write down favorite memories of the person receiving the gift – get as many as you can. Then put them all on small pieces of paper, and put them in a decorated jar with the instructions to open one fun memory every day.
Put on a concert: If you’re musically talented, put on a Christmas concert for family and friends. If you want to give to others, go to a local nursing home and play!
Football gift pack: Have someone obsessed with football? Get them a t-shirt for their favorite team, a team blanket for cuddling up and watching games on Sunday and some snacks!
Write a poem: Write a “Where I’m From Poem”, either about yourself for the gift receiver, or about them. Details here.
Custom collage notebook: One year my brother made me a notebook that had a fun photo and magazine clipping collage on the cover. It was creative and I used that notebook for quite a while.
Movie based on a book: Buy someone a book that you enjoyed, as well as the movie based on that book.
Now that I’ve given you some ideas for some frugal Christmas gifts, why don’t you give us your own ideas! Leave a comment with your idea for a good frugal Christmas gift below!
More Frugal Christmas Gifts & Ideas
75 ideas not enough? Here’s some more ideas for a frugal Christmas!