ideas Archives - Hanover Mortgages

Apache is functioning normally

June 9, 2023 by Brett Tams

This year’s down market has shifted what mortgage lenders are seeking from their technology partners, because the spare dollars for nice-to-haves are no longer around. The booming housing market the past few years brought with it a surge in mortgage tech adoption, and while this movement towards innovation has been welcomed by mortgage parties, now more than ever lenders are looking at the data behind these mortgage tech claims. Return on investment and cost savings around must-haves are now the focus in a lot of tech partnerships.

To learn more about this shift in mortgage tech needs and the changing dynamic in vendor-lender partnerships, HousingWire interviewed John Hedlund, California Mortgage Bankers Association (CMBA) chairman and chief operating officer at AmeriHome Mortgage Company and Wes Iseley, CMBA board president of residential and senior managing director of Carrington Holding Company.

California is home to some of the largest lenders which allows the association to keep a very strong pulse on the needs and trends in housing. The associations’ annual Mortgage Innovators Conference in Anaheim, California in June is designed to explore the revolutionary world of mortgage technology and helps attendees gain valuable insights from experienced industry professionals.

“The Mortgage Innovators Conference is unique in our space because there’s more of a conversation and interaction with lenders and technology companies, or innovators. It was part of our goal to not just have a bunch of booths where people are pushing products and instead where they’re solving problems that lenders have today,” said Hedlund.

“The beauty of the Mortgage Innovators Conference, and what we’re trying to build there, is really more of that two-way dialogue. The companies that are coming are listening and trying to enhance, improve and develop their products, and will reposition what they’ve already built or are in the process of building,” he said.

This collaborative mindset is what will define the lenders and tech providers that grow. In the following Q&A, Hedlund and Iseley discuss what innovation looks like today, the current table stakes in mortgage tech, what tech companies should keep in mind when talking to lenders and more.

HousingWire: What are some of the biggest areas that lenders are looking at technology to solve?

John Hedlund: In 2021, business was crazy good, and lenders had more money. You had a lot of vendors and startups selling, for lack of a better term, bells and whistles. They were, in my opinion, nice-to-haves and didn’t really move the needle. You’d have an LO come over to your company, saying that they need a certain software because they’re comfortable with it, so lenders would buy it because they could afford it. We’re in a different world now. Most lenders lost money last year.

So when I think of technology today, I talk to our providers about how they need to show their economic value add more than ever. How do you take costs out of my business? How have you proven that, factually?

When I talk to clients and ourselves, I focus on “what do we really need that moves the needle?” And, “What is just nice to have?” I’m getting rid of the nice-to-haves, and we’re finding other vendors that want to come in.

For most of the guys today, it’s all bottom-line driven. They need to be liquid, and they don’t know what’s next with rates.

Wes Iseley: There are some real issues that are still out there with speed to close. The first thing with speed to close, anything we can do to income verifications, which we have come a long way in bringing that in. There are different models out there trying to bring in income verification quickly.

The second one would be from a compliance standpoint — wire fraud. Everybody has to have that compliance and quality in place because that will drive costs up.

So the whole time we’re speeding things up, and at the same time, we need to have our protections in place so we don’t have surprise losses. There’s a lot of work going on the front and the back end from a compliance perspective.

HW: What are the new table stakes when it comes to technology?

JH: There’s always way more ideas than are actually going to ever catch on. It’s hard to carve out a new niche where there’s really a value add, but ultimately, that’s where I would start. What is my value proposition? And, it has to be somewhat hard today; it can’t be soft. By soft, I mean that it’s a nice-to-have. I think of an economic value-add. If followed all the way through the process, does it move the needle somewhere?

WI: Right now, if you can’t make it easy for the customer, that customer is going to get frustrated and go away. It’s tough out there right now. This includes the ease of use for the customer and the communication in keeping all people involved in that transaction informed as it goes along. Especially in a purchase money close, you can’t mess up the close when the moving truck is outside. Keeping everybody informed as the process goes is a must.

HW: What should mortgage tech companies keep in mind when talking to lenders?

JH: There’s a lot of value in talking to a variety of different lenders in different markets, and testing, tweaking and revising your business model when it needs change. If you want to have something that isn’t a niche product, it has to ring true with the masses.

When we started AmeriHome, our mindset wasn’t to chase shiny objects. From the start, our goal was to be a top-five correspondent lender, and so we built the company with scale in mind and our value prop very simplistically became, “How are we going to add value to our clients?”

I see a lot of tech vendors that have great ideas in isolation that aren’t ever going to necessarily be at scale because it’s a niche-type model. In most cases, I wonder if they’ve vetted that and spent, not an hour, but weeks or months finding out what their clients really need and solving a problem versus creating a product to try and find a problem.

HW: What does housing innovation look like in today’s market?

WI: The big issue out there is affordable housing. While there are modular homes, manufactured homes and factory-built homes, there are so many restrictions. In California for example, there’s a fee to transport the manufactured house, which adds $25,000 to $30,000.

You need to get down state by state and say what are the restrictions? I think factory-built housing and the precision of the building itself is of a higher quality and that’s a way to solve for affordable housing. You’re not going to affect land price, so it’s the build. This is a big solution that everybody should be working on.

Source: housingwire.com

Apache is functioning normally

June 9, 2023 by Brett Tams

NFTs or non-fungible tokens have gained a lot of momentum in the last few months. Whether it’s because of the digital art, the technology behind them, the money-making potential, or a simple case of FOMO, people can’t get enough of them.

Each day, we wake up to stories of artists and celebrities buying and selling NFTs for insane amounts. Case and point? Eminem recently shelled out 123.45 Ethereum (currently worth over $400K) for a Bored Ape NFT — and that’s not even the most expensive one in the market.

As someone who’s crawling herself out of student debt and on a budget, paying six figures for a digital asset is simply out of the question.

But are all NFTs that expensive? Or is there a way to start small?

I talked to NFT trader investor, consultant, advisor, and founder Ish Verduzco to find out, and, to my surprise, his answers were very promising.

What’s Ahead:

Do you have to be rich to invest in NFTs?

Last March, digital artist Mike Winkelmann, better known as “Beeple,” made headlines when an NFT of his work was sold for a record-breaking $69 million.

Then, we saw Snoop Dogg and Grimes buying and selling NFTs for six and seven figures, while Paris Hilton joined forces with Bill Ackman to back a $300 million NFT Foundation.

With figures like that, it’s easy to think that NFTs are some sort of exclusive investment that only the rich can afford. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth — at least that’s what both Verduzco and the data say. Verduzco says:

“Yes, there is some level of barrier to entry at the moment. But I wouldn’t say that they’re for the ultra-rich either…I think there’s an opportunity to get in.”

What makes NFTs more expensive than your average investment is that most of them are minted through smart contracts that live in the Ethereum blockchain, which Verduzco says is one of the most expensive ones, partly due to the gas fees.

Gas fees are basically the transaction fees of the Ethereum network. These fees are non-refundable, and must be charged to cover the costs of the energy used by the computers when validating and recording each NFT transaction. Verduzco says:

“To give you a very quick overview, it can cost like $50 to a few $100 just to transact, plus the cost of the NFT itself.”

So, how much money do you need to start investing in NFTs?

A recent study by Canadian concept artist Kimberly Parker, which analyzed public API data from sales on popular NFT marketplaces, like OpenSea, Nifty Gateway, Rarible, SuperRare, and MakersPlace, found that most NFTs are actually sold for under $200.

That’s right, you don’t need six figures — not even four figures, to own an NFT.

Verduzco says that a good amount to get started would be $500, which isn’t outrageous. After all, popular investment firms, like Wealthfront and E*TRADE, require minimum deposits of that same amount for you to start investing in their automated portfolios.

Read more: What Is An NFT? – How Nyan Cat Was Sold For $600,000

Why now may be a good time to get into NFTs

Many crypto and NFT experts — Verduzco included, think that the blockchain and smart contract technology behind NFTs will spread like wildfire across multiple industries, changing the world as we know it.

“It’s going to be integrated into almost everything we do,” Verduzco says.

“It’s not just going to be just art, it’s going to go into music, it’s going to go into film, it’s going to go into transacting things like deeds to houses, and anything that has to do with verification of ownership.”

Here’s a quick example of how this could work:

When you’re buying a house, the bank needs to make sure that the title is free and clear before closing on the loan. This process alone can take two weeks, and you’ll have to pay additional fees to the third-party company conducting the search.

But if the house was registered and sold as an NFT, for example, each transaction pertaining to that property would’ve been accounted for and recorded in the blockchain. So, clearing the title would only take a couple of hours instead of weeks, and you’d be able to get rid of the middleman and unnecessary fees.

Although the concept of NFTs is still in its early stages, Verduzco says that “it’s better to be ahead,” and — if possible — invest in it, so you learn the inner workings firsthand.

This will allow you “to spot more opportunities to make money, or find other people that are in this space who compliment your strengths and weaknesses in order to build projects based on needs.”

How to start investing in NFTs when you’re on a budget

As part of my convo with Verduzco, we bounced off some ideas on how you can get into the NFT game without breaking the bank. These are a few of them.

Read more: How To Create And Sell NFTs – The New Way To Sell Your Art

Explore NFT projects that use cheaper cryptocurrencies

If you visit OpenSea, which is currently the world’s largest NFT market, you’ll see that the vast majority of NFTs listed there use the Ethereum network (aka the most expensive NFT blockchain).

But just because most NFTs use this blockchain, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t other options.

Blockchains like Solana and Polygon (which was created as an efficient solution to the Ethereum network and is compatible with it) use cryptocurrencies that are much cheaper than ether, which is Ethereum’s currency.

Here’s an example:

At the moment this article was written, one SOL, which is Solana’s cryptocurrency, was worth $0.26, while one MATIC, which is Polygon’s cryptocurrency, was worth $2.13. But, if you wanted to purchase one ether, which is Ethereum’s cryptocurrency, you’d need $3,121.93 to do so.

So, yeah, there’s a huge difference there.

These alternative blockchains are also rising in popularity. JPMorgan recently released a report in which it states that the Ethereum blockchain is losing a chunk of its market share to Solana, as the blockchain is less congested (aka faster) and cheaper to invest in than Ethereum.

If you’re interested in buying NFT projects that use the Solana network, you can check out marketplaces like Solsea and Solanart, to find them.

When it comes to projects that use Polygon, you can find them just by visiting OpenSea. To see all the NFTs you can place bids on or buy using this network, simply click on the “Chains” option on the left panel, and select “Polygon.”

Mint a project

When you mint a project, you’re basically investing in it before it actually goes live. So, you could think of it as the Kickstarter of an NFT project. Verduzco says:

“The initial mint is usually like 0.05 Ethereum, which is a relatively small amount. If you happen to make it in that initial mint, then you pay only 0.05 Ethereum, versus if the project goes up in value, and then it costs 0.7, or much higher.”

One good example of an NFT project that is currently in its minting phase, and that I happen to like a lot is the Lucky Goat. You can currently mint this project for 0.0777 Ethereum ($243.43).

What has me rooting for the Lucky Goat (besides the art, of course) is that they donate some of their profits to Heifer International, which is a nonprofit whose mission is to help eradicate hunger and poverty.

So, how do you find projects to mint?

Twitter. If you enter “#mint” or “#NFT” on Twitter’s search bar, you’ll find countless threads of founders and artists sharing their upcoming NFT projects.
Discord. In case you don’t know what Discord is, it is a group-chatting app, where users join servers (aka private groups) to chat about a specific topic. Many NFT founders use this app to talk about their upcoming NFT projects, to get both support and feedback from users.
rarity.tools. Although this website is mostly used by NFT traders to vet projects and find rankings based on their rarity or unique traits, it also has an Upcoming NFT Sales section, where you can check projects to mint.
OpenSea’s homepage. They often share new mints, and you can easily browse through their huge NFT market.

But be careful…

Before minting a project, Verduzo says it’s super important to ensure its legitimacy, so you don’t get rugged (NFT lingo for “scammed”). Sadly, just like in any space, there are always bad players that are just there to do a quick cash grab and disappear.

To avoid this, make sure you research the project thoroughly by finding out all you can about its community, founders, and mission, as well as how long they’ve been around in this space.

Why?

If the project disappears into the mist, your NFT most likely will lose all its value, unless someone else decides to take over the project.

Time your purchase

Unlike the stock market, which is open for transactions Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, the NFT market is a global market that is open 24/7.

“So, it’s not just you and everybody else in the United States that you’re transacting with, it’s everybody in the entire world who has access to the Internet,” Verduzco says.

And, the more people that are trying to conduct transactions on the Ethereum network, the more congested it will be, which automatically translates to higher gas fees. This will hopefully be improved once Ethereum 2.0 (also known as the consensus layer) is fully rolled out.

One way to spend less money when buying NFTs is to ensure you conduct your transactions during the time of the day when the network is less congested.

Verduzco says that 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. PST is probably the worst time of the day to buy NFTs because that’s when most people around the world are awake. He suggests timing your transactions to random hours when most people are sleeping, like 2:00 a.m. or 5:00 a.m. PST. Though not always practical, it can help save a good amount of money.

You can also track gas prices by visiting the ETH Gas Station.

Become an NFT expert

Since NFTs are still an emerging concept, Verduzco says that one way you can make money in this space, without being an investor, is by learning all you can about them.

“It doesn’t always have to be investing in an NFT collection, in order to get a return,” Verduzco says.

“Understanding everything about the NFT space and becoming very good on one specific skill set, whether it’s social media marketing, community management, creating Discords, branding, or content creation, is going to provide value because, all of a sudden, you open yourself up to many job opportunities.”

In other words, you’ll be able to profit from your NFT knowledge as this technology becomes more widespread, and companies start searching for people who know their way around this space.

Before investing in NFTs…

Make sure your finances are in order

Investing in NFTs represents a higher risk than investing in traditional stocks or bonds, as their value is determined by speculation, so it fluctuates more than with your average investment.

Besides that, once you purchase an NFT, the transaction is final, and flipping them or reselling them could take a while. That’s why it’s so important you only invest money you have to spare, and not money you’re going to need short-term, as this could result in a financial disaster.

Learn as much as you can

“I would suggest investing your time and energy on learning before putting your money up,” Verduzco says.

“Find really cool projects that you like, and then join the Discords, listen to conversations, ask questions, watch a bunch of videos, read a bunch of blogs before you even think about putting Ethereum in your wallet to spend.”

Learning as much as you can about NFTs will give you a realistic idea of what to expect, plus determine whether you’re ready to take the plunge, or if you should wait a little longer before investing in this space.

If you’re curious about learning, you can check out podcasts, like a16z, which has extensive information on this topic, as well as reading books, like The NFT Handbook: How to Create, Sell and Buy Non-Fungible Token, to get started.

Additionally, Verduzco’s Twitter account is like a gold mine of NFT info, as he frequently shares projects, articles, and tips to help people learn more about this space.

Summary

You don’t have to be a millionaire to invest in NFTs, however, there’s a learning curve to be successful in this space.

The most important thing is to learn as much as you can about it, vet projects carefully, understand the risks associated with investing in such a volatile space, and make sure you don’t use money you’re gonna need. This will allow you to make the most out of your experience.

Featured image: mundissima/Shutterstock.com

Apache is functioning normally

June 9, 2023 by Brett Tams

To hear the storage industry tell it, every kitchen needs plastic containers in a dozen sizes. You need specialized storage, too: triangles for wedges of pie, say, or deviled-egg sarcophagi with little divots to cradle each demi-oeuf. Oh, and lots of foil, waxed paper, and plastic wrap and bags to hold sandwiches and snacks or cover bowls of leftovers.

My boxes of foil and plastic wrap last me up to a couple of years each. And while I’ll cop to owning a few Tupperware and Rubbermaid pieces, it’s all hand-me-down stuff — and note that I said a few. I don’t need much, and I don’t use much commercial wrapping, because there are plenty of other ways to store food.

Note: Before I share these frugal hacks, I need to address the issue of plastic. Some people are very nervous about chemicals leaching into their foods. If this is you, then ignore all mention of plastics below and focus on the other ideas.

Use What You’ve Got

Don’t automatically assume you need special food-storage containers. Why not just put leftovers in a bowl with a saucer or bread-and-butter plate on top? If it fits snugly, it’s no different than aluminum foil or a plastic lid. (What? You thought that “burping” a Tupperware container got all the air out?)

Glass food-storage dishes are all the rage now, but glass jars work just as well. The next time you finish up some jam, pickles or spaghetti sauce, save the jar. (Quart canning jars are good for food storage, too, if you can get them cheaply. More on that below.)

The upside: They’re free. The downside: They don’t hold as much as those big Tupperware bowls — and they don’t stack like them, either, so they take up quite a bit of room in the cupboard. I keep only a couple of them around and recycle the rest.

When cream cheese goes on sale, I stock up on the soft variety. Not only is it easier to spread, it comes in a sturdy and reusable container. I use these for small amounts of leftovers, or fill them with individual servings of pudding. (I’m also using one for odd nails, screws and other bits of miscellaneous hardware.)

Empty margarine tubs work much the same way. They tend to be larger, but that’s fine — you can put small leftovers in a large container, but you can’t put large leftovers in a small container.

Bonus: If you’re sending food home with dinner guests, you don’t worry about getting the Gold’n Soft container back. Nobody’s walking out the door with my Tupperware, though, because it belonged to my mother.

I buy Wyler’s sugar-free lemonade, which comes in little packets inside a plastic container. These containers have proved useful for stacking Christmas cookies as gifts. When I’m making jam and have a small amount left over, I’ll put it in a Wyler’s container and give it to my sister or a neighbor.

It’s in the Bag

I broke my toe last spring. When I looked for a plastic bag to use as an ice pack, I was amused by the variety of choices. I had bags that once held hot dog rolls, bread, and frozen soybeans, corn and mixed vegetables. I had the inner liners from boxes of cereal and crackers. I even had a number of Ritz cracker sleeves.

Here are a few ways I’ve used these items:

Plastic bags. I use these to store leftover meatloaf, chicken or pork chops and to keep home-baked goods fresh (I don’t have a cookie jar). Sometimes I slip a bowl of leftovers inside one of these bags.
Ritz cracker wrappers. Cut up, they’re good for wrapping and freezing the hamburger patties I make when ground beef goes on sale. I secure them with rubber bands — since I still subscribe to a newspaper, I have tons of those things. A cracker wrapper is rubber-banded over the glass measuring cup of bacon fat sitting in my fridge. And I’m writing this from a house-sitting job; I used a Ritz cracker wrapper around the toothbrush in my toiletries bag.
Frozen vegetable bags. I use them to freeze chili — or spaghetti-sauce-sized portions of cooked ground beef or chicken. Or I cut off the ends and cut the bag in half lengthwise; each half is the right size for wrapping those hamburger patties. (Originally I offered these to my sister, who owns a Golden Retriever. She declined because she prefers a bag she can tie shut and also because big dog = big poop. Bigger than 16 ounces? Yikes! Another reason I don’t have a dog.)
Cracker/cereal liners. These are good for storing chicken or chops bought in bulk and then re-wrapped into smaller portions. If you cut the liners open, you wind up with what’s essentially a big piece of waxed paper. It can be cut into smaller pieces to wrap hamburger, whether cooked or in patties. Each summer I cut one of the large cracker liners to fit the cookie sheet on which I freeze gleaned blackberries. I freeze them until they’re solid before putting them in bags, to keep them from becoming one big lump.

And then there are the washed and re-used Ziploc bags. You just knew I’d bring that up, didn’t you? An MSN Money reader suggested buying only the freezer bags, which seem to be made of sterner stuff and will last longer. I can attest: Some of my zipper-type bags are on their fourth tour of duty for frozen blackberries.

However, if a bag has held raw meat then I tend to throw it out. Campylobacter and other nasties are nothing to fool with; to me, it’s worth occasionally tossing a bag vs. risking food poisoning.

Possible Frugal Hacks

Why pay retail? Here are some other ways to save on food storage:

- You can often find Tupperware and other storage containers in the “free” box at yard sales. Empty jars, too.

- I bought aluminum foil at an estate sale. Or, rather, I tried to buy it: The woman running the sale just gave it to me. If I’d paid, it would have been a quarter and it was one of those big boxes, too.

- Once I found waxed paper in the half-price bin at the dollar store. If you are very lucky there will be a clearance bin at your dollar store, too.

- Keep an eye on the Freecycle network — I’ve seen Rubbermaid, Tupperware and canning jars offered. Don’t see any? Put up a “wanted” ad.

You can paint these tactics as extremely green/frugal, or you can use them as an easy opportunity to make fun of extremely green/frugal types. Personally, I prefer to look at it as giving “throwaway” plastic at least one more use — and, yes, I’m saving money because I don’t have to pull a length of foil or plastic wrap off the roll. Have you checked the price of commercial wraps lately?

J.D.’s note: Donna’s right: It’s easy to make fun of frugal tactics like this. But remember how last May I spent ten days on a boat with my real millionaire next door? Well, he does all of these things and more. And the photo illustrating this article? That’s our own kitchen drawer — Kris has a vast library of re-used plastic bags and containers.

Source: getrichslowly.org

Apache is functioning normally

June 9, 2023 by Brett Tams

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.

I’m not really sure about this whole expensive holiday gift thing. I know it’s supposed to be a way of showing love and appreciation, but I think it is too much pressure. Why not give a cheap holiday gift that they will actually use?

Plus a lot of people struggle with finding a Christmas gift for their loved ones, regardless of price.

Some people say that the best gifts are homemade, but not always. I am going to show you 101+ of my favorite cheap but thoughtful Christmas gifts ideas for someone who is on a budget or does not want to spend too much money.

These cheap Christmas gift ideas are for everyone on your list, from the family member you don’t know what to get them to the coworkers who always complain about not getting anything.

You will find the best advice on how to find the perfect present without breaking your budget.

The holidays are right around the corner, and it is time to start thinking about those gift lists! The holidays are about spending time with those closest to you, for many Americans it can be exceedingly difficult to find a decent gift for those from your close circle.

Why Cheap Christmas Gift Ideas

I know that you’re looking for some great gift ideas this year and we have you covered: adults, teens, kids, fashionistas, athletes, teachers, plus so much more!

There are so many inexpensive Christmas gift ideas that it can be hard to know where to start. This article will help you find the perfect present for everyone this holiday season.

The price range will be cheap Christmas gifts under $10 or nice cheap gifts for Christmas under $20. Some items maybe a little bit more expensive, but well worth the extra cost based on the idea!

Find over 250 cheap last-minute Christmas gifts (delivered by Amazon) on this list that I know the recipient will love!

We all want to give gifts that are thoughtful, stylish, and affordable. These cheap Christmas gift ideas offer all of that, plus they are inexpensive to buy. Broke at Christmas time isn't fun. Learn how to get awesome gifts when broke. DIY and free ideas for women, for guys, for friends, for men, for kids. These money saving tips will help your Christmas budget.

Cheap Christmas Gifts for Adults

Easy cheap Christmas gifts for adults are those that can be afforded by the budget-conscious and the best part is still are awesome gifts.

These gifts usually have a handmade flair or personal touch to them to reflect the recipient’s personality.

To find cheap Christmas gifts for coworkers, you can pick any present on this list.

DIY Jewelry: This is one of the best ways to make multiple gifts for cheap. You can make many types of homemade jewelry.
Mug with their name on it: Make them smile with a customized mug just for them!
Coloring Books: Coloring isn’t just for kids. Adult coloring books are extremely popular and inexpensive to pick up an adult coloring book and colored pencils.
Magazines Subscriptions: Some ideas include National Geographic or Smithsonian. Great way to find new inspiration and ideas.
A Photo Album of your Memories: This can be a physical or digital photo album. A simple way to portray your friendship and experiences together.
Journal: Write down thoughts, ideas, or quotes that they love in the journal. Pick up a plain journal at Target for $5-$10.
Stickers: Add a few stickers from your collection, some ribbon, and scrapbook papers to decorate it!
Movie Night: A movie night with popcorn and some of their favorite movies is a thoughtful, inexpensive gift that everyone will enjoy. Buy a streaming movie or pass to the local cinema.
Handmade Gifts: If you have a knack for the arts and crafts, making a handmade gift is not only thoughtful but also can be very inexpensive!
Coffee or tea from their favorite coffee shop: There’s nothing better than a cup of joe or tea to start the day off right.
A Bouquet of Flowers: Get a bag of those colorful hair ties, and tie them to the stems for an extra special touch!
Collage Frame: A collage frame can be used as a picture frame, or it can be used as a decoration on the wall.
Holiday Decor: This is an affordable and practical gift for someone who loves to decorate their home for the holidays.
DIY-ed Ornaments: Get creative with this craft and let their imagination run wild!
Homemade Treats: Who doesn’t love cookies, chocolates, or homemade baked goods? Even canned salsa or jelly make great gifts!
Stockings: With any number of crafts available to make-you can’t go wrong with a stocking full of goodies for the holidays.
Cookies: Bake up some of your favorite holiday cookies and package them in a festive container for a sweet treat. Perfect to host a cookie exchange as a fun experience!
Comic Books: It can be no surprise to some adults when they think of all the hard work that goes into creating a comic book and see the end product. What’s even more surprising is that more adults don’t try them.
Handmade Gifts from Kids: If your child loves to paint, draw, or make things with their hands-this is the perfect opportunity for them.

Cheap Christmas Gifts for Teens

Coming up with Christmas gift ideas for teens can be tough. Teens are often too old to play childish games like Monopoly or Jenga, yet they’re not quite ready for more grown-up games like Trivial Pursuit.

There are a lot of inexpensive gift ideas for teens from the mall, but teens often want something more personal and unique to show they are maturing.

If you are looking for cheap gifts for teens, you can try any of these present ideas.

Gift cards are always a huge hit with this age group! Double bonus if you can make it a fun way to spend some time together. Make sure that your teen is comfortable with this idea.

iPod Touch / iPhone / iPad Accessories: A new case, screen protector, and a few apps are always great. Whether it’s to show off or just something fun, this is a great idea.
Journal: This gift will help your teens reflect on the year and all of the good things that happened!
Fun Colors to Write With: The festive design on these pens will make teens want to use them all year round. Fun gel pens are wonderful gifts for all ages; they are inexpensive and come in a variety of colors.
Fashion Designer Scarf: This gift will help your teen express his or her individuality while also staying warm during the winter months.
Room Decorations: Checking out new colors and themes for the room is a fun way to spend some time together. Plus they may be ready for a change from their younger decor.
Makeup: Teens love makeup and skincare items, so make it their job to pick out a few new things they want.
Candles: Having a nice scent can help relax and soothe your teen before bedtime. These versatile gifts come in many shapes. It is also how teens feel more grown-up.
Hand-Painted Mug: Handpainted mugs are perfect for all the coffee and tea lovers in your house, and they are so easy to make! This can be an experience gift, too!
Handmade Jewelry: this is an affordable yet creative holiday present
Trendy Socks: These are always a great gift for anyone. Not only does it keep your feet warm, but it can be fashionable too!
iTunes Gift Card: Let them download a favorite song or album.
Movies: Movies are a great gift to give especially if it’s one of their favorites or they’ve been wanting to see it!
Clothing: The recipient will love getting some new clothes-especially if they’re trendy and stylish, or their favorite store has a sale going on that you know about.
Special Treat: A special treat is a great way to show someone that you care about them and appreciate all they do.

Cheap Christmas Gifts for Kids

Picture of kids to show cheap easy Christmas gifts for kids

Kids are the most precious gift of all. They’re also notoriously hard to buy inexpensive presents for – they normally want gifts that are outside your price range! Fortunately, these Christmas gifts will have your child smiling from ear-to-ear.

Cheap easy Christmas gifts for kids are especially not difficult to find and you have plenty of inexpensive gift ideas, – plus your bank account will thank you for it.

At the end of the day, kids don’t really care what it costs as long as they like it.

Stuffed Animals: Give them the gift of a new favorite toy that they can hug and take with them everywhere-just make sure to tuck in an extra battery for their new favorite toy.
Paper & Stickers: A package of paper and stickers is perfect for kids who love to create their own projects or write notes, letters, or holiday cards. This pack is also perfect for young ones who are just learning how to write.
Colored Pencils & Crayons: Colored pencils and crayons are a fun way to keep kids focused on their art. These pens will help them create original masterpieces.
Customized Shirts: A new shirt is a great way for kids to express their personality, and it can also be an easy outfit of the day solution when they’re running out the door.
Puzzles: Puzzles are a great way for kids to learn new skills and stay entertained on rainy days. They also make excellent stocking stuffers!
Ice Cream Variety Pack: A yummy variety pack of ice cream will make their day.
Play Doh: Kids love play doh, and it’s a great way to keep them entertained for hours! It also makes a great stocking stuffer.
Colorful Pens: Kids love to color, so give them the opportunity with some bright new pens! They’ll have fun for hours doodling on all their things.
Slime: Slime is all the rage right now, and kids can make their own with this kit.
Sippy Cups: Kids love sippy cups because they’re fun and easy to drink from! They also come in a variety of designs and colors.
Kitten: They will love this sweet little creature that they can cuddle up with in winter.
Fidget Toys: Fidget toys are a great way to keep kids entertained and focused with some fun. They come in a variety of colors and shapes, making them perfect for all ages!
Star Night Light: This was one of my daughter’s favorite gifts (even her older teen brother was jealous). Huge hit to light up the wall at nighttime.
Remote Controlled Car: A remote-controlled car is a great gift idea because it can be played indoors or outdoors. It also makes for hours of fun!
Make Your Own Soap Kit: This kit will allow your child to make their own soaps at home with some fun ingredients. They have a variety of colors and scents available which they can use to customize the soap for their own preference.
Board Games for Kids: Board games are a great way to keep entertained while bonding with their friends and family. They come in different levels of difficulty, making them perfect for all ages.
Nature Exploration Set: A nature exploration set will help to inspire your child’s curiosity and creativity. The kit includes a journal, binoculars, magnifying glass, and more!
NERF: NERF toys are classics for kids of all ages. They’re great to take on family vacations or just to play with friends.
Dolls: Dolls are a classic toy for girls and they come in all shapes and sizes. From Barbie to Baby Alive, there’s plenty of options available!
Spirograph: A Spirograph can keep kids entertained for hours. They design pictures with the help of an included pen and paper.
Rock Painting Kit: A rock painting kit will allow kids to express their creativity by decorating rocks.
Bead Kit: A beading kit is a great way to teach kids about colors and patterns. It also teaches patience as they work with the small beads
Sewing Kit: Sewing kits allow kids to create their own stuffed animals and clothes for themselves.
Drawstring Backpacks: Helpful to keep their stuff organized on outings, vacations, or events when the kids need to be entertained.

Kids love getting gifts, and these cheap Christmas gifts ideas are perfect for any child!

Best Cheap Gifts for the Foodie Cook

picture of a wrapped present for cheap Christmas gift ideas.

One of the most difficult parts about shopping for a gift is coming up with creative ideas.

This list is full of affordable gifts is perfect for that friend or family member who loves to cook and bake!

Here are some of the best cheap gifts for the foodie cook.

Charcuterie Board Set: This is the perfect gift for the foodie that loves to cook with meat. It provides an assortment of meats, cheeses, fruits, and bread in a beautiful wooden tray.
Mason Jar Set: This gift is perfect for a friend or family member who loves to cook. The set includes six pint-sized jars with lids and can be personalized with the recipient’s name.
Salt and Pepper Grinder: This set comes with salt and pepper grinders for the foodie who loves to cook.
Gourmet Spices: Spice up a friend’s cooking experience with this assortment of spices from around the world.
Frother: Perfect for milk frothing for coffee, lattle, milk shares, hot chocolates, and matcha powder. You need one of these and everyone else around you does too!
Mini Stand Mixer: This is a perfect gift for a friend who loves to cook and bake! The mixer comes with attachments such as a whisk, dough hook, and flat beater.
Fondue Pot: This pot is perfect for families that enjoy eating together! The set includes a fondue pot, forks, skewers, dippers, and dipping sauces.
Cookie Press: This press is perfect for a friend who loves to bake! The set includes a cookie press, dough sheet mold, rolling pin, and recipes.
Oven Mitts: You don’t want your foodie gift receipeint to burn their hands. Replace their worn-out oven mitts with one of these stylish oven mitts.
Hot Sauce Set: Every foodie needs some hot sauce in their fridge. This set includes 3 bottles of the hottest sauces around, plus a recipe book for beginners.
Spice Rub Set: Give your foodie friend the gift of spices especially if they love to grill or have a Traeger! This set includes salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder.
Teapot Set: This is for all those tea drinkers out there. This set includes a teapot and infuser ball.
Tea Bags: Add on to the teapot set and deliver a set of tea bags with a bunch of different flavors.
French Press: French press brewing prevents an over-extraction of flavors; the grounds only add flavor regardless of how little or how much coffee is steeped. Expand their coffee experience!
Coffee Grinder: This is for all those coffee drinkers out there who like to make their own custom blends.
Bamboo Cutting Board: Over time, we all have to replace our words cutting boards at some point. So, this makes a chop-worthy gift.
Tea Towels: These are great for drying dishes, wiping counters and so much more. Find a catchy saying they will love to display!
Sourdough Banneton Proofing Basket: If they are hooked on the sourdough trend, then they need one of these to elevate their breadmaking skills.
Bread Lame Scouring Tool: A must for anyone who makes sourdough breads!
Batter Bowl: This is a great kitchen tool for mixing batters, making pancakes, and more. It will be a welcome addition to the kitchen!
Flour Sifter: This is another one of those necessary tools in the kitchen.
Coffee Mug: For coffee lovers, this is a great gift idea!
Salt Cellar: This is a nice addition to the kitchen and it will hold those hard-to-reach salt and pepper.
Cheese Plane: This tool makes cutting cheese into perfect, uniform slices – making cooking and serving a breeze.
Saute Pan: This pan is great for frying, sautéing, and more! It’s perfect for the average home cook or budding chef.
Zester: This handy tool is perfect for adding flavor to dishes with just the slightest touch.
Meat Thermometer: This is a tool that can’t be beaten especially for the grill master. This one is by far the best on the market!.
Pizza Cutter: This is an essential kitchen tool for any pizza lover!
Ice cream scoop: This ice cream scoop is perfect for any ice-cream lover. It comes in 2 different sizes of scoops and they come in a variety of colors.
Cooking Class: Give them the gift of cooking skills-it’ll be something they can use for years to come!

Best Cheap Gifts for the Homebody

Picture of Christmas tree for cheap Christmas gifts under $10

Holiday shopping can be a stressful time, but not to worry. Here are some great gifts for the person who has everything and doesn’t want anything.

Consider these cheap, homey gifts that will please any loved one or host.

Weighted Blanket: For those who love to cozy up with a blanket, this one might be the perfect weight and size for them.
Hot Cocoa Mix: This is an easy way to ensure that your loved ones have a delicious treat from their kitchen.
Wool Socks: This is a great item to have on hand for the winter months.
Tea Infuser: This one will help your loved ones in their journey of self-discovery.
Homemade Snow Globe: Grab a this snow globe kit and make your loved ones their own little winter wonderland.
House Shoes: A pair of these comfortable shoes will be something your loved ones can wear around the house.
Cozy Blanket: These blankets are made to keep you warm and cozy during those cold winter nights.
Popcorn Popper: This is a fun gift that they will all enjoy especially on movie night.
Jigsaw Puzzle: Give them a puzzle that will keep their mind sharp and occupied.
Board Games: More than likely they prefer to have people over to enjoy good old-fashion board games and a night of laughter with friends!
Comfy Pajamas: A new set of cozy pajamas is sure to be a hit with the kids.
Robe: A new robe is a great gift for those who love to lounge around in their comfiest clothes.

These are some Cheap Christmas Gift ideas for those who are on a budget!

Best Inexpensive Gift Ideas for Spa Lovers

Picture of a candle for cheap gifts for mom for christmas

The perfect gift for anyone who loves to pamper themselves is a spa gift card. Spa gift cards are the perfect present because it gives the recipient freedom over what they would like to do during their stay.

There are many different spa gift cards available on the market, so it is easy to find one that suits the recipient’s personality and budget.

If you can’t find a group of people to go in on this idea, then turn their home into a spa experience.

Bath Salts: These are perfect for the person who loves to relax and take baths. All they will need is a nice scented candle or bath bomb, their favorite book, and these salts to make themselves feel like royalty.
Candles: These are perfect for the person who loves to relax and read, or just has a nice smelling home. There are many different scents available so it is easy to find one that suits the recipient’s personality.
Aromatherapy: This gift idea is perfect for those who want an inexpensive yet thoughtful gift. There are many aromatherapy oils to choose from, but the two most popular would be lavender and peppermint
Diffuser: These are perfect for someone who enjoys a deep and restful sleep, as well as those who enjoy shut-eye at night to take away any stresses or worries. A few drops of these oils in a diffuser or humidifier will soothe the recipient and ease them into relaxation before bedtime.
Tea: This is perfect for the person who enjoys a good cup of tea. A nice box of loose leaf teas is sure to be appreciated and used for many, many years to come!
Cookies: This may seem like a typical and uninspired gift that most people would choose, but it is thoughtful and they will appreciate the thoughtfulness.
Scalp Massager: This is great for those with a sensitive scalp. It helps to soothe the skin and will leave them feeling relaxed
Shower Speaker: This is a great gift for someone whose favorite song isn’t Top 40. They will be able to listen to their music while they shower.
Manicure Dip Starter Kit: This is a great gift for those who love to paint their nails
Hyaluronic Acid: Help maintain the hydration of the outer layers of skin, which helps to improve its appearance.
Hair Mask: This is a great gift for someone who loves to pamper themselves, especially if they are in need of moisture.
Lip Sleeping Mask: A gentle overnight moisturizer for dry, sore lips.
Microfiber Hair Towel Wrap: This is a great gift for someone who spends a lot of time in the pool or at the beach. It is quick and easy to help dry your hair faster.
Handheld Massager: Seriously, this is the best gift ever. Plus the cost has been coming down each year.

Cheap Gift Ideas for the Fashionista

If you are looking for an affordable, fashionable gift idea that is also fun and creative then this list has something to offer you.

Here are some ideas for the fashionista on a budget.

Scarf: Scarves are always in style and can be found anywhere. You can get a nice one for only about $25, depending on the brand.
Tote bag: A tote bag is a necessity for school, the mall, and even just running errands around town. You can find them anywhere from $5-25 depending on what type you want.
Pandora Bracelet: The Pandora bracelet is a beautiful piece of jewelry that can be bought with any budget in mind, and it’s a great option for people who want to give something that will last. Great gift to add charms each year.
Earrings: Earrings can be a great gift for someone you know who is really into fashion. You can find them at the drugstore or even in some clothing stores, and they cost anywhere from $5-20.
Belt: A belt is great for someone who doesn’t have too many accessories, or if you just want to spice up an outfit with a new piece of jewelry.
Hair Clips: Hair clips are a great gift for someone who spends most of their time at home because you can clip them in your hair to keep it out of the way while you do chores. Also, great for those trendy messy up-dos!
Felt Hat: A felt hat can be a great gift for someone who goes to the beach a lot, or just likes wearing hats because it’s cold outside. They last longer than other types of material and they can be a really inexpensive gift.
Jewelry Dish: Find a small dish at the dollar store and decorate with paint or fabric to make it look pretty!
Re-gift Jewelry: Add jewelry from your old collection that you don’t wear anymore (maybe some old costume jewelry?).
Sunglasses: Sunglasses are one of the most popular Christmas gifts, and they can be found cheaply at many stores. I bought a pair for under $15!
Watch: Watches can be found at many stores for a cheap price. Watchmakers are competing to lower their prices as they try and go against the trend of cell phone watches, which is why you can find a nice watch for under $10.
Sweatshirt: A good sweatshirt is a woman’s best friend. It will keep you warm during the winter and can easily be dressed up or down depending on what you’re wearing-It doesn’t have to be too expensive either, with most stores having sales or clearance racks that are perfect for picking up gifts.
Nail Polish: The best thing about nail polish is that you can buy it in a lot of sizes, from the little bottles that are perfect for stocking stuffers to larger ones that come in packages of 5 or more. Great stocking stuffers!
Yoga Pants: We all know yoga pants are a girl’s best friend. But, y’all the prices of these yoga pants are amazing, and did I mention how many I have given as cheap gifts?!?!
Winter Gloves: Some people might think winter gloves are odd to put on a Christmas list, but they make such great stocking stuffers!
Shopping Bag: This is a great present for someone who likes to shop! I know what you’re thinking, “how do they not have one?”
A New Outfit: Even if the person you are buying for is not a fashionista, clothes still make great gifts. And if you know what their favorite style of clothing is then nows the time to indulge them in some new clothes!

Some suggestions are old and some are new, but all of them will be perfect for the person you want to give a gift to.

Cheap Gift Ideas for the Makeup Artist

Check out these cheap beauty Christmas gifts for the makeup artist on your list. These are great for anyone that has a budget of $10 or less.

Makeup: Find out what brands your friends, family members, or classmates like and buy them the makeup in that brand. You can find this information at their favorite retailers or by asking around to see which brands they wear.
Nail Polish: Buying nail polish as a gift is a great idea because you can buy them the exact color they want to wear and it’s usually not too expensive.
Perfume: If your budget is $10 or less, you can buy a nice perfume that smells great and it will be something they use often.
Bath Bomb: If you’re shopping for someone who needs to relax, then a bath bomb is the perfect gift.
Specialty Coffee Mug: You can find these for fairly cheap and they’re something that people will use every day so it’s great. Find a fun coffee mug with an artsy flair!
Lip Stain: Lip stains are a really popular product because they’re long-lasting and come in so many colors. This is perfect for someone who loves makeup!
Makeup Brushes: Any good makeup artist knows the quality of the brush makes a difference. You can find a decent brush at an affordable price!
Silicone Makeup Sponges: These are perfect for applying makeup evenly and providing coverage.
Reusable Beauty Products: For the eco-conscious, find plenty of reusable beauty products. You will be surprised at this list.

Gather all of these makeup supplies and put them together for a creative gift basket!

Cheap Gift Ideas for the Athlete

Sweating is gross, so this guide has come to help! It’s tough when you have an athlete in the family because they are always on the move.

Athletes will have to replace their equipment and clothing because of use.

Here are some nice, thoughtful gift ideas for the athlete on your list!

Water Bottle: Sometimes I feel like I can never have enough water bottles!
A pack of compression pants: I wear them for my sport because they help with the swelling and protect against injury.
New backpack: I use mine all of the time!
Headphones: These allow people to listen to their favorite music or podcast while getting the sweat on.
Full-zip fleece jacket: I love being able to bundle up when it gets cold! This is a thoughtful guide for the athlete on your list for before and after workouts.
Polarized Sunglasses: These help protect eyes from glare and add style to any outfit.
Music Subscription (ad free): This is a great gift for the athlete who loves music!
Yoga Mat: Yoga mats are great because they’re environmentally friendly and also come in a bunch of different colors. Sometimes it’s nice to be able to stretch out and do some poses on your own. Plus the experts say we should stretch every day.
Sports Watch: Preferably with stopwatch and alarm clock. THey need to time those tabata crossfit workouts.
Running Gloves: These are thoughtful gifts for someone who loves the outdoors and running.
Foam Roller: A great gift for the athlete who is looking for a little bit of extra relief.
Folding Bike: This is a thoughtful gift idea for someone who loves to bike ride but doesn’t have space for a bike. This one is more expensive, but a great idea to go in with others on!
Sports Massage Oil: This is a thoughtful gift for the runner, cyclist, or anyone who gets sore muscles. Pick a hand massager to go with it!
Camouflage Pillow: This is a great present for an outdoorsy person who has their head in the clouds.
Good Socks: Have you ever smelled the stinky socks?!?! Enough said.
Sports Tape: The runner in your life will need this present to keep them on the go.
Sports Bra: This is a great present for someone who participates in any activity that requires it! One that fits well and is made of quality materials. Plus an affordable price!
Fleece Headband: This is a great present for the runner in your life who also likes to wear their hair up when they’re not running.
Yoga Pants: This is a great present for someone who likes to keep their activities active. Or just wears yoga pants every single day to be trendy. No one needs to know why! These are my favorite brand.
Athletic Shorts: This is a great present for the person in your life who likes to wear their athletic shorts outside of working out. Plus, come on it’s not like they’re going to be wearing them over clothes so people would notice.
Resistance Bands: These are great for the person who likes to keep their workouts active, but doesn’t have a ton of space.
Light Set of Weights: Everyone needs to have some weight training as part of their workouts. Pick up three or five pound weights to help them reach their workout goals.
Armband for Phone: When you workout, you may want to keep your phone with you to track the steps or distance you worked out. This is an armband to keep your phone and simple enough to change your workout music.
Latest Fad Cookbook: In need of a great gift idea for the person in your life who likes to cook but always seems to have not-so-perfect dishes? This is perfect! Gift them this latest fad cookbook and they’ll be able to make all the popular, Instagram-worthy dishes that you see on TV.
Sneakers: Maybe you are lucky enough to score a pair of comfortable, breathable athletic sneakers on clearance!

I’m sure they’ll be appreciative of any one of these gifts!

Cheap Gift Ideas For Teachers

Picture of a teacher for cheap christmas gifts for teachers

This list of cheap teach gifts for Christmas will help you choose a thoughtful and useful present that won’t break your budget.

Essential Oil Set: A true favorite for teachers who like to use aromatherapy in their classrooms or at home. This is our favorite essential oil set.
Stress-relief Hand Sanitizer: Teachers are always on the go, so they can use a little help to keep them stress-free. Plus, germs are no fun for anyone!
Personalized Mask Lanyard: Personalize your teacher’s mask with their name, school mascot or work logo.
Tiger Balm: This is a classic product for teachers and athletes alike! Tiger balm will help soothe your aches and pains.
Lounge Pants: Nothing reminds a teacher of home like their favorite TV show! A few years ago my mom gave me a really cute pair of lounge pants and I still wear them. The cut is oversized with pockets for my phone and remote which make it perfect for relaxing on the couch.
Smart Plugs: These plugs can be controlled on an app from anywhere. That means the teacher doesn’t have to worry about forgetting to turn their lights off before they left for work.
Personalized Stamp: A teacher’s stamp of approval is the best kind. This personalized stamp will help teachers quickly get through their paperwork.
Amazon Gift Card: Teachers deserve to take a breather and use some of their hard-earned cash on themselves. A gift card is the perfect way for friends or family members to say “thank you.”
Wireless Headphones: Music is a great way to get the energy going and keep kids psyched up, but it can be tough when they’re working on group tasks. Wireless headphones like these ones from Sony
Day-by-day Calendar: The last thing teachers need is to scramble for a blank piece of paper whenever they want to jot down notes. The day-by-day calendar is perfect because it’s got enough space for writing, but it’s compact enough to tuck into a drawer.
Magnetic Dry Erase Whiteboard: After all the long hours spent at school, who wouldn’t want their own personal whiteboard where they can write, draw, and erase?
Lunch Boxes: There is nothing better than a home-packed lunch. These stainless steel containers are compact enough to carry with you, but they’re also roomy enough to hold a sandwich, fruit, and veggies.
Educational Activity Books: If you’re looking for something that’s not only fun, but chock full of learning activities and information, these books are perfect for further learning.

Cheap Christmas Gifts for Mom or Her in your life

Picture of a mom for cheap Christmas gifts for her

All of these are great inexpensive ideas for buying on a budget

Shopping for a great gift for women or moms can be hard, but not too much with these affordable options.

Little Succulents: This is a cute DIY gift. All you need are succulents, a pot with dirt, and some other accessories if desired.
Bath Bombs: These are great for anyone, including people who enjoy a good bath every now and again. They come in various scents so you can find something that is sure to please.
Chapstick: This is perfect for the person in your life who always has chapped lips or complains about dry skin on their hands when they are outside too long during winter months.
A Book: It may seem like the most unimaginative gift, but it’s perfect for someone who enjoys reading and is looking for something they haven’t read yet. Books are also a great way to get someone hooked on a series so you can recommend their next read.
Slippers: These are perfect for the person in your life who is constantly complaining about how cold their feet are.
Candles: This is a perfect gift for someone who enjoys relaxing or reading after dinner and the scent fills up the whole house with aromatherapy benefits.
A Scratch Off Map: This is a great gift for someone who enjoys traveling or seeing the world. It’s very personalized and they can see how many countries they have visited.
A Coffee Mug: This is a great gift for the coffee lover in your life. You can put anything on it such as their favorite book, television show or artist and they will be reminded of you every time they drink their coffee.
A Memory Blanket: This is a great gift for people who are always cold and it can go with them anywhere in the world because it folds up easily.
A Personalized T-shirt: This is a great gift because it’s very personal and you can put anything on the shirt that has meaning to them such as their favorite sports team, favorite food, or where they have traveled.
A Personalized Finger Drum: This is a great gift for anyone who loves to play drums because it has their name engraved right on the drumhead.

Cheap Christmas Gifts for Men

The following items are inexpensive and will make any man, dad, or boyfriend insanely happy! The cheapest gifts can be the best!

Here are some budget-friendly, manly, fun, and creative ideas for Christmas presents.

A New Shirt: You can find many options for cheap shirts. Grab one with a funny saying he would enjoy for an out-of-the-park win!
Belt: Belt prices vary by brand, but can be found for as low as $10.
Wallet: Wallets can also vary by brand and cost, but often end up being around $15.
New Socks:: Many men enjoy their sock collection. You can always add on to replace their worn-out socks.
A Tie: Ties can be found for as low as $5.
Watch: The watch market is a tough one to navigate, but if you know your partner’s style and budget beforehand it can be easier to find what you’re looking for.
A Tie Clip: You can usually pick one up for $5 or less, and it’s something that he’ll wear every day!
Old-school Vinyl Record Player: Old school vinyl is making a comeback and can be found in all sorts of different styles.
Latest Board Game: Board games are always a fun gift idea. You can pick up the latest hot game for less than $20
A Good Book: A good book is always a great gift idea. You can find them for as low as $5 and books are something that never goes out of style!
Cash: Let’s be honest… most men like to have the cash to spend as they please with no questions asked.

Cheap Christmas Gifts for Friends

You may not have a lot of money for this Christmas, but that doesn’t mean you can’t give your friends something thoughtful.

These inexpensive items may not be the most lavish of presents to give a friend this year, but they are sure to be appreciated and useful!

Whimsy Kit: A Whimsy Kit is a small package that includes activities such as drawing, coloring, and collaging. It can be used in classrooms or at home to relax and have fun.
Poster Board & Markers: A poster board and markers are perfect for making holiday cards to send out or decorating with a festive design.
Fun Scrapbook Pens: Fun pens are a wonderful gift for any age to bring color to their writing, coloring, or journaling.
Scented Candles Kit: Scented candles can be used for the holidays, but they also make a great gift for any time of the year. The smell will bring a warm and cozy feeling into your home.
Gold Foil Blanket: A gold foil blanket is perfect for snuggling up in the car when you are stuck in the car!
Cute Pillow Case: A new pillowcase is a fun way to change things up in your bedroom or living room. The best part about these gifts are that they can be given with other items, like the gold foil blanket or a fun pillow.
Comfy Socks: When it’s cold outside, there is nothing more comforting than a good pair of socks. These make a great gift for someone who spends most of their time at home or just loves to relax.
Bracelets: Jewelry is a great way to show someone you care. Bracelets are not only cute but they go with any outfit!
Christmas Ornament: A Christmas ornament makes for the perfect stocking stuffer. They are usually inexpensive and they can be used year round to decorate your home for the holidays.
Christmas Fun Pack: It is always fun when Santa sends a surprise in the mail, so why not surprise your friends with a Christmas Fun Pack!
Shower Steamers: These will make a great gift for someone who is your best friend, especially if they like to take long showers.
Flashlights: These are fun and practical gifts that will come in handy during the dark days of winter.
Tissue Box Covers: A unique and inexpensive gift for the person who has everything, these tissue box covers will make any house seem a little more homey during cold winter months.
Chocolate: For the person that has everything, you can’t go wrong with some chocolate.

Cheap Christmas Gifts for Coworkers:

A quick, easy, and affordable way to get the perfect gift for your coworkers this Christmas is by giving them a coworker appreciation gift basket.

These inexpensive gifts are great for bosses or employees. They can be personalized so it’s a gift that will really stick with your coworkers.

Planner: This is a great way to give your coworkers something they will really use. They can write down their goals, schedule, and use it as a to-do list.
Personalized Stationery: This is such an adorable idea and can be so much fun for everyone involved. These are the perfect gifts that will make your coworkers feel special this holiday
Putting Green: This is a great gift that they can use to practice their putting skills in the comfort of their own office.
Desk Organizer: A desk organizer is a great way to start your day off with a clean and organized workspace.
Timeless Candle: This candle helps you enjoy the holidays or winter season while relaxing in the office.
Coffee Mug: Every office needs a good coffee mug to stay energized and motivated throughout the day.
Personalized Mouse Pad: You could get them their favorite movie, sport or hobby as a personalized mouse pad and they’ll enjoy using it every day at their office.
Luxury Pen: This is the perfect gift for that person who has everything and needs something to help them write down their thoughts and ideas.
Desk Lamp: A desk lamp can help you read in your office when it’s dark outside so all the daylight hours are available for working on projects or catching up on paperwork.
Ink Pen: This is a great gift idea for anyone who likes to write or doodle. You could get them this as a refillable pen and they can use it to write down their thoughts or ideas.
Laptop Tote Bag: This is the perfect gift for anyone who likes to travel and needs something stylish but functional to carry everything in one place.
Plant pot & planter: This is a great gift for someone who likes to spend time in their garden or on the porch. You could give them this as an opportunity to grow something new and have something beautiful in their office that is all their own.
Journal: This is a classic gift that people like to get for themselves or others. You can find many different styles and sizes of journals, making it easy for you to find the perfect one for your recipient.
Watercolor set: This is a great gift if you know someone who loves to paint or draw. It is an opportunity for them to tap into their creative side while also having the materials that they need to create something beautiful or special for someone else.
Keychain: This is a great gift for anyone because everyone needs keys! You can get them a keychain that has their name on it, or you can get them a cute one for someone they love.
Laptop sleeve: This is a great gift for anyone who has to have their laptop with them at all times. They come in so many different colors and designs, so you can find one that fits your friend or family member perfectly!
Monitor riser: If you know someone who has a desk job, they’re probably struggling to stay focused on their screen. This is the perfect gift for anyone who spends time at work looking down all day!

Best Cheap Christmas Gift of them All – Gift Card:

Picture of gifts for the best easy cheap Christmas gift ideas.

A gift card is a prepaid credit or debit card that can be spent in any number of stores, restaurants, and other venues as desired by the purchaser.

This option is great for people who are the “hard to buy for” type.

Even a $10 or $20 gift card to somewhere they like is better than a gift to sit on the shelf unused.

Giving a gift card is always an easy way out, but it can be more useful than materialistic gifts they may not use.

You can never go wrong with a gift card to their favorite store!

You can Buy Cheap Christmas Presents that Look Expensive

I know that this time of year can be so busy and stressful. It’s hard to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list, especially when you have a tight budget. But there are so many fun and creative ideas that won’t break the bank.

You’ll find the perfect gift for everyone on your list!

Hopefully, you can find cheap Christmas gifts under $20 or less. Most of these power ideas you can pick up on Amazon or Etsy.

Christmas is often a time where people try to get the best gifts for their loved ones. In order to make these gifts more affordable, it’s smart to think about ways that can lower expenses.

One way to do this is by choosing gifts that can be combined with other items. Or even choosing a no gift Christmas.

It is always fun to give a gift to someone special on Christmas. However, sometimes you feel uncertain about what the perfect present is for somebody else.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our cheap but thoughtful Christmas gift ideas!

With these items, your loved one will have a great Christmas! Be sure to check our blog for more money saving tips!

Need More Inexpensive Christmas Gift ideas?

Source: moneybliss.org

Apache is functioning normally

June 9, 2023 by Brett Tams

While retirement may be associated with leaving the workforce behind, most Americans plan to work past the age of 65. In fact, a 2022 study from the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies found that around 57% of workers plan to work either full-time or part-time in retirement. Financial reasons and a desire to remain active were cited as the main motivators. Here are eight jobs that can keep you active, boost your income and let you work remotely.

If you’d like personalized help managing your finances in retirement, consider working with a financial advisor.

8 Great Work-from-Home Opportunities for Retirees

While there is a myriad of opportunities for retirees to work from home, what follows are some of best, who might be a good fit for the work and estimated pay, per salary.com as of May 1, 2023.

Bookkeeper —

Bookkeepers maintain a business’s financial records, including purchases, sales, invoices, payments and other transactions. The job will require a high level of accuracy. And it will likely take some technological savvy given that many, if not most, businesses use software to manage their finances.

Best for:

Organized and detail-oriented workers with a solid grasp of basic accounting principles.

Average salary: $42,854

Telehealth Nurse —

If you have a nursing degree but hope to transition to remote work, the growing demand for telemedicine may be a great opportunity for you.

Telehealth nurses “see” patients via email, phone and chat. They also videoconference and answer their questions, determine the next medical steps, conduct follow-up appointments and deliver medical treatments.

Best for:

This is good for people who already hold a nursing degree, of course. And in a remote environment, communication skills become more important than ever for treating patients with sensitivity.

Average salary: $85,045

Administrative Assistant —

You may think of an administrative assistant as someone who mans the reception desk, makes copies and orders more coffee. But the remote role has slightly different responsibilities. You can expect to answer phone calls and emails, schedule meetings and appointments and handle many of the things that keep a remote office running smoothly.

Best for:

This is good for people with excellent customer service and time management skills. Being able to multitask is a plus.

Average salary: $45,003

Paralegal —

Paralegals serve as assistants to lawyers, helping investigate and research legal cases, maintaining records, drafting correspondence and putting together documents for trials. The job descriptions for a paralegal will vary widely depending on the law firm, what type of law is practiced, its size and the paralegal’s own qualification level.

Best for:

Those who already have a certification or degree in paralegal studies—though the qualifications required to become a paralegal depend on the hiring firm and an actual degree or certification isn’t always necessary.

On the other hand, if this interests you, paralegal certification programs and associate’s degrees in paralegal studies can be relatively affordable and can require as few as 12-24 months of study.

Average salary: $58,630-117,990 (salary ranges widely vary)

Tutor

Tutoring is another job with a wide variety of possibilities, depending on the age and education level of the students, the subject or subjects taught and more. You can be a generalist who works with elementary school kids on any subject they need help with.

You can also be a specialist who works with college students on writing assignments, an ESL tutor who helps adults learn English, and all kinds of varieties in between. In the big picture, a tutor works with students outside of their classes to help them better understand and implement the concepts they’re learning.

Best for:

People who are patient, good at breaking complex concepts into simple ideas and steps and hold the required credentials. Some tutor positions only require a GED, while others may require a college degree in the subject you intend to specialize in, such as a bachelor’s degree in math for a math tutor.

Average salary: $42,422

Receptionist

A virtual receptionist serves the same role as a traditional, in-person receptionist: They ensure that all customer concerns are taken care of.

While there is some overlap with a virtual administrative assistant, a receptionist will be more focused on the customer side of the office than the administrative, answering phone calls and emails, helping customers who need assistance, scheduling appointments and more.

Best for:

This is good for those with good multitasking and people skills. And some technological savvy ensures that customers don’t slip through the cracks in a remote office.

Average salary: $41,704

Customer Service Representative

In a brick-and-mortar retail shop such as a hardware store, a customer service rep may be walking the floor, answering questions about what someone should buy for their upcoming home improvement project.

In a remote business, customer service representatives serve much the same purpose: answering customer questions, helping them with problems and troubleshooting any issues.

Best for:

People with patience, great communication skills and a solid knowledge base of the products or services being sold by their employer.

Average salary: $37,623

Transcriptionist

The transcriptionist job is a straightforward one: You simply type up recordings. Some transcriptionists work exclusively in one industry. For example, they can work in legal or medical industries, which necessitates a certain level of knowledge of the terminology used in that profession. Others may do general transcription work, typing up whatever is needed.

Best for:

This is good for fast and accurate typists looking for low-intensity work. While some may find this kind of work boring, the right person may find the audio or video they transcribe interesting and value the calm.

Average salary: $41,453

Things to Consider When Looking for Remote Jobs

Don’t Get Scammed

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a common scam is for a fake company to hire you. And then they send you a check to buy equipment with the caveat that you should send the extra money back. The check is bad and will be returned.

The FTC advises that you carefully review any job offers, only apply to jobs on legitimate websites and never rely on a “cleared” check your employer sends you.

Use Your Career Expertise

One of the best ways to find a new remote job is to use the skills you already have. You may be able to find a less demanding and remote version of your previous career. And going into this new job with your years of experience can be valuable to your employer. And it can potentially earn you a bigger starting salary.

For instance, if you had a career as an editor, you may be an excellent English tutor. You can help students understand the rules of grammar and how to improve their reading and writing skills.

Understand How Working Can Impact Your Social Security Benefits

Working can still be the right choice for you, but make you know how your benefits could be affected. According to the Social Security Administration, while you can work and still receive benefits, there’s a limit to how much you can earn before they begin to reduce your benefits if you’re not yet full retirement age.

In 2023, the limit is $21,240 for those under full retirement age. And it’s $56,520 for the year that you reach full retirement age.

Bottom Line

It’s common for retirees to continue working in retirement. It could be due to financial reasons or just finding ways to keep busy. However, you may not want to stay with the same career track you worked in previously. You may be looking for something less demanding, more flexible or a job you can do from home. But before you decide to work, do your due diligence in finding the right opportunities.

Retirement Tips

Consider working with a financial advisor to get the most out of all the benefits the SSA provides. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
The SmartAsset Retirement Guide offers a calculator to show you how much you need to save for retirement. It also has a retirement tax friendliness calculator to help you weigh various options if you are moving after your retirement.

Source: smartasset.com

Apache is functioning normally

June 9, 2023 by Brett Tams

This final hack is possibly the most creative use of a cutting board we’ve seen yet. The small legs on the board, when flipped over, create the perfect space to store a few books without them toppling over. In her video, @grillodesigns first displays this hack on her shelf, then on her bedside table as a mini stack, a great choice for nighttime readers that want to have a few options on hand without having to get out of bed or face a precarious tower of recent reads. If you’re looking to create a cozy reading nook, this can also be a convenient storage method that doesn’t take up a ton of space, especially if you don’t have room for a dedicated bookshelf.

While these are all great hacks, the creativity doesn’t end there. Commenters on the viral video have also shared some of their own clever ideas for this cutting board, from a convenient table that fits over the arm of your sofa to a lap desk for toddlers on car rides. When it comes to such a simple piece, don’t be afraid to look for different ways that it can fit functionally into your life — you might be surprised by what you’re able to come up with.

Source: housedigest.com

Apache is functioning normally

June 9, 2023 by Brett Tams

FOMO, or, “fear of missing out” when trading, applies to the anxiety of potentially passing up a profitable investment that an investor may experience. “FOMO” is a term commonly used to describe other anxiety-inducing situations as well. For investors who visualize a scenario where a stock rises sharply in value but goes unpurchased, the fear of missing out may cause them to make investing decisions that aren’t fully thought-through or in line with their investing strategy.

Making emotional, knee-jerk decisions when investing can derail your overall strategy, too. That’s why it can be important to try and avoid it the best you can.

What Is FOMO Trading?

FOMO trading happens when an investor allows their fear of missing out to drive their investing decisions — to the exclusion of other insights and instincts. This can trigger errors, creating problems in an otherwise well-managed investment portfolio.

For example, an impatient trader may rush to buy a hot stock even if it doesn’t fit into their investment strategy, or if the stock risks could jeopardize the portfolio’s stability.

Yet, buying any investment without proper research, risk assessment, or a planned exit strategy if the stock goes down, is the opposite of effective stock market investing.

Understanding Behavioral Finance

Sociologists use the term “behavioral finance” to describe the overall need to abandon rational thought and follow a herd to mitigate any FOMO anxieties. With behavioral finance, emotional and sociological influences replace scrutiny and logical thinking, which can significantly alter investment outcomes.

The fact that so many stock market rumors are stoked on social media, and that there are so many investors who rely on social media for investment ideas, only adds more pressure to give in to your anxieties, and buy a stock or other investment that may not necessarily fit in with your investing strategy.

Ways to Avoid FOMO Trading

How can an investor fight off FOMO tendencies and remain a stable and steadfast investor? It’s not easy given the pressure to trade frequently these days, but these tips may help.

Invest With a Plan in Mind

Investors who trade according to a well-thought out plan or investing strategy — and not with a FOMO mindset — are likely to be more prepared for better investment outcomes. By doing research, learning how to value a stock, and establishing your own tolerance for risk, you may be less likely to make rash or emotional decisions regarding your investments.

Stay Calm in Highly Volatile Markets

Many impulse trades come at a time when markets move fast. When investing in a volatile market, it’s especially important to trade with strategy in mind, rather than with your feelings.

Be Sensible About Trading

A single stock market trade rarely makes or breaks an investment portfolio. If you do hear about a can’t-miss stock and are anxious to pull the trigger and buy that stock, it can help to keep it in perspective: there’s always another market opportunity down the road. In other words, keep the big picture in mind.

Avoid Investing Money You Can’t Afford to Lose

The old adage of “never play with money you can’t afford to lose” is very much in play with FOMO investing. It’s never wise to chase a stock with large amounts of money your portfolio can’t afford to be without. In nearly all cases, if an investment’s risk is too high, and the potential impact to your portfolio is too acute, then it may be best to wait things out.

Don’t Mistake Social Media Advice For a Sound Investment Strategy

Social media captures a great deal of attention from market investors. But these platforms may be loaded with touts, short-sellers, penny stock promoters, and other investment shills who have their best interest in mind — not yours. As a rule, social media touts always talk up their gains but rarely mention their losses. Remember that maxim when you’re under the temptation of a FOMO trade.

The Takeaway

FOMO trading is a type of behavioral finance — in which an investor lets emotions like the fear of missing out replace logical, strategic thinking. FOMO trading often happens on a whim without much thought, which can significantly impact investment outcomes.That’s why it’s important to have a cogent strategy in place, and to keep your goals in mind when making investing decisions.

While it can be difficult to completely remove your emotions from your investing activities, keeping your strategy top of mind can help direct your decision-making process. Again: It’s not easy, but with some practice and experience in the markets, learning to skip investing trends might become a bit easier.

Ready to invest in your goals? It’s easy to get started when you open an Active Invest account with SoFi Invest. You can invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and more. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).

For a limited time, opening and funding an account gives you the opportunity to win up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.

SoFi Invest®
The information provided is not meant to provide investment or financial advice. Also, past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Investment decisions should be based on an individual’s specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile. SoFi can’t guarantee future financial performance. Advisory services offered through SoFi Wealth, LLC. SoFi Securities, LLC, member FINRA / SIPC . SoFi Invest refers to the three investment and trading platforms operated by Social Finance, Inc. and its affiliates (described below). Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of the platforms below.
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2) Active Investing—The Active Investing platform is owned by SoFi Securities LLC. Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.

3) Cryptocurrency is offered by SoFi Digital Assets, LLC, a FinCEN registered Money Service Business.

For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above, including state licensure of Sofi Digital Assets, LLC, please visit www.sofi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform. Information related to lending products contained herein should not be construed as an offer or prequalification for any loan product offered by SoFi Bank, N.A.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
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Source: sofi.com

Apache is functioning normally

June 8, 2023 by Brett Tams

Good times happen in small spaces.

Have you rearranged your furniture countless times in an attempt to create a comfortable and inviting living room in a small space? The good news is that, with a bit of ingenuity, you can enjoy the living room of your dreams regardless of size. From bright and eclectic to minimalist and warm, you can incorporate many of today’s design trends into a small living room using our collection of small living room ideas.

The most important aspect of creating a space you love is ensuring it aligns with your vision and lifestyle. As Billy Baldwin, an icon in interior design, said, “Be faithful to your own taste because nothing you really like is ever out of style.”

Whether using decor tricks to create the illusion of a larger room or designing a cozy space for relaxation and entertainment, these apartment small living room ideas can take you there.

Let’s explore the many ways to make your small space shine!

1. Furniture to fill your space

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While it may seem contrary, integrating larger furniture, such as a sectional, can make the room appear more expansive. The key is choosing a color that blends in with the walls and opting for low-level, armless pieces. Another innovative option is selecting a couch with raised legs, creating a sense of space.

From there, carefully consider each piece of furniture, enhancing negative space while ensuring a living room designed for your lifestyle. Do you need a side table? Would nesting tables work as coffee tables and double as side tables when friends are over? Placing furniture in a close, conversational layout creates a cozy atmosphere for entertaining.

2. Cleverly placed mirrors

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The strategic use of mirrors is one of the best techniques for making rooms look bigger. Placing a large, beautiful mirror opposite windows brings in more natural light and brightens the entire room. Unless you’re going for a vintage look, simpler frames are generally a better choice when creating a sense of spaciousness.

You can also add dimension and atmosphere by placing a mirror close to a light source, like a table lamp or candle. Even mirrored furniture, such as a side table, reflects light, contributing to the illusion of more space. You can also go big with mirror panels. According to Architectural Digest, mirrored walls are in, yet again.

3. Color to the rescue

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Image Source: Rent. / Bahama Bay

You’ve probably heard that painting walls white creates the illusion of a bigger room. Any lighter color, however, such as soft neutrals and pastels, can have the same effect. You can even go bold if you stick to a limited palette.

From natural wood tones to deep greens or blues, rich hues offer a cozy, enveloping feeling, and complementary shades provide a cohesive look that can make a room look bigger.

If your rental agreement doesn’t allow painting, you can still add bursts of color with pillows, throws and artwork. One large painting creates a focal point, drawing the eyes upward while adding intrigue and contrast. Add a sizeable color-coordinated area rug big enough for all your furnishings to sit on, and you have the anchor that ties the room together. Need some inspiration? Check out these popular paint colors and decorating styles that range from art deco to bohemian and Japandi.

4. Lightweight window coverings

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Floor-to-ceiling window coverings add height and dimension but can make a room look smaller when made of heavy material. On the other hand, sheer fabrics provide a light and airy feeling while letting natural light infuse the room.

5. Layers of light

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While layered lighting is important in every room, this approach is particularly critical in small spaces. It combines ambient, task and accent lighting, drawing your attention to specific features while creating depth and intrigue.

Consider wall sconces, hanging pendant lights and strategically placed lamps. LED strips under shelving provide light from an unseen source, setting the mood by changing colors with one touch of a button.

6. Go vertical

Are you having trouble finding space for your bookcase and much-loved artwork? Consider a shelf at a height you can just reach that encircles the room.

This shelf can appear to float when painted the same color as the walls. Deliberately placed books, plants and artwork offer texture and functionality while drawing the eyes upward and making the room appear larger.

7. Purposeful living

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A small living room gives you the opportunity to embrace purposeful living. One way to achieve this is ensuring large pieces provide multi-functionality. An ottoman can double as a coffee table, hidden storage space and a footrest. A bench may offer storage for blankets. There are even bookcases with fold-down tables you can use as a desk.

8. Pay attention to the corners

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Image Source: Rent. / The Link

Adding houseplants, a beautiful lamp or strategic shelving to a few corners brings attention to every area, making your living room seem bigger. Not only do plants enhance your living space, but several studies show they also improve air quality, boost productivity and even reduce stress.

Some good options for darker corners include peace lilies, Boston ferns, philodendrons and spider plants. With indirect light, lush parlor palms and monstera plants can fill a corner.

9. Clutter-free

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Marie Kondo, developer of the KonMari Method for decluttering and star of two Netflix series, suggests that “Life truly begins only after you have put your house in order.” Tidying also creates a minimalist, clutter-free zone that does wonders for increasing a sense of space. Consider a few baskets or decorative boxes to hide remotes and other random items.

10. Bring the outdoors in

small living room ideas

Image Source: Apartment Guide / MAA Gardens

Natural light offers many gifts, including reduced energy usage and improved sleep. It also makes a space feel more expansive and filled with life. Installing a curtain pole extending past the windows allows you to draw curtains fully back, revealing more light and making your windows appear wider.

11. A space for book lovers

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Creating a cozy reading nook is often a top priority for book lovers. Fortunately, a window seat or corner chair with a soft blanket and throw pillows is often all it takes. Add a wall sconce or pendant light that saves space, and enjoy.

Are you ready to create a comfortable, more spacious living room where you relax with friends and family? Use these design tips to steer you in the right direction.

Still looking for your own cozy space to decorate? Start here.

Source: rent.com

Apache is functioning normally

June 8, 2023 by Brett Tams

While I’ve been waxing poetic about my design dreams for our Victorian for months now, today we’re kicking things into higher gear – with the One Room Challenge! You may have caught wind of this awesome series before. In it, 20 bloggers make over one room, blogging the process and sharing updates with you every Wednesday. I’m so excited to be joining this season’s crew. Obviously, this challenge is perfect for our current situation – we have boundless makeover needs on our hands. But what to focus on??

When looking around the Victorian, I immediately saw a room that deserved some focused attention. You see, the Victorian came with this lovely “parlour” space off of the living room. It could be a library. An office. A playroom perhaps. But I’m a huge fan of keeping the TV out of main living areas so when we looked at the most practical use for this room, it became immediately obvious – this little den could be where we can isolate all of our electronic distractions into a media room. Aka – our man cave! Well, man cave light. I like me some football too and Scandal – let’s be real!.

The parlour was delivered to us in such…ahem…lovely condition.

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The marbled forest green trim really had me at hello. Ugh. But in all seriousness, this room actually has great bones. Under all the green paint, that original molding is stunning. The light in the room is lovely and the 12 foot ceilings are dramatic. In the grand scheme of our remodel, this room actually requires only cosmetic improvements although I do have a couple of showstopper ideas in mind!.

But let’s start with some inspiration. Since this room needs to be as guy friendly as possible dark, sophisticated color palettes are really catching my eye. Furniture should be cozy, luxe and layered but with a noticeable masculine edge.

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I can just envision sinking into a plush couch, cocooned by a richly hued dark walls, velvet curtains pulled to enjoy Pitch Perfect 2! But first things first. We need to pick the perfect paint color. We’ve got to solidify the look easier said then done when you’re melding his & hers styles. Then we’ve got finalize a layout and select furnishings. And I’m excited to bring you along for all the fun!

So if you’ve been craving some serious design inspiration – you’ve definitely got something to keep you occupied for the next six weeks – 20 times over!! Be sure to check out the other bloggers participating in the series. If past challenges are any indication, you’re in for some seriously amazing makeovers. Be sure bookmark your favorites to follow along!

Arianna Belle
Because it’s Awesome
Coco+Kelley
Design Darling
Design Indulgence
Design Manifest
Christine Dovey
The English Room
Vanessa Francis
Hi Sugarplum
Honey We’re Home
Jojotastic
The Pink Clutch
The Pink Pagoda
Simplified Bee
Style Your Senses
A Thoughtful Place
Kimberly Whitman

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Source: apartment34.com

Apache is functioning normally

June 8, 2023 by Brett Tams

Not sure what to buy for your loved ones this year? Still singing the recession blues? Consider buying nothing at all.

I didn’t buy anything on Black Friday, I didn’t buy anything today, and I won’t tomorrow. This holiday season, I won’t be going near a mall. Under our tree, there will be no plastic toys, no new clothes, and no last-minute matched set of leopard-print mugs for my sister when I panic on Christmas Eve because I have no idea what she wants. There also wont be any dipping into my savings accounts to buy gifts.

Thousands of families will be doing exactly the same thing this year as part of The Compact. The Compact has a simple premise: Everyone who signs on agrees to “buy nothing new” for one year.

Gifts for Kids

For tips on surviving a frugal holiday, I turned to the Non-Consumer Advocate, Katy Wolk-Stanley. Katy is coming into her third year on The Compact. And as a mom of two boys, she knows a thing or two about kids and holiday shopping.

“Christmas is a huge challenge for people who are trying to save money, and for people who are trying to minimize their garbage output and the low-quality stuff that comes into their family,” Katy says.

Here are her guidelines for giving to children during the holiday season:

- Shopping is okay. Katy made it clear that “not buying new” doesn’t mean “no shopping”. She swears by Goodwill and consignment shops. Buying used, she points out, not only saves money, but it’s always a “greener” choice than buying a newly-manufactured item. Online, you can surf eBay or your local Craigslist for second-hand treasures.

- Swapping is even better. “You could do a gift swap where people get together, bring the toys that aren’t being used, and swap,” Katy says. “You’d have to make it an evening without kids, which has its own benefits!”

- Presentation matters. Some kids will be looking for “new” gifts under the tree, and new to them means boxes and brands. Katy suggests looking in higher-end kids’ consignment shops, where you can often find gifts still in their boxes. For kids and adults, Katy offers lots of creative wrapping ideas, like presenting movie tickets with a box of movie-theater candy. For families, try giving toddlers play silks (long pieces of colorful silk) as a gift, and then use the silks to wrap gifts each year for the kids as they grow older.

- Santa buys second-hand, too. My kids still believe in Santa Claus. They’re expecting a pile of Stuff under that tree come Christmas morning. I ordered them a classic dollhouse from “Santa’s workshop” (read: eBay). They’ll get to spend the morning unwrapping each little piece of furniture, instead of a dozen different gifts.

- Be creative. Last year, Katy gave each of her boys a kitten. Rather than put live kittens under the tree, she put some stuffed animals they already had under there with paper tags around their necks that said, “Please exchange me for a real kitten.”

- Don’t be afraid. Chemicals like lead, BPA, and phthalates are common in older toys (even ones that were new last Christmas). Sharp edges and loose parts can cause accidents. A simple way to avoid these problems? Buy simple toys. Unpainted wood gifts, for example, are free of toxins regardless of their vintage. Another simple option: Don’t worry about it. You probably haven’t carefully researched every new toy that comes in the door. Today’s used toys are no more dangerous than last year’s new ones.

Talk to your relatives. “Just explain that you’re trying to decrease the number of gifts given to your children and talk about why you’re doing it,” Katy says. “Possibly offer some other ideas where a person can be creative and still do something special for a child that they love.” Easy for her to say. I’m a pansy when it comes to tough talks, so last year I sent mom a letter asking her to “tell Santa” what kinds of gifts would be most appreciated.

From the archives: Here’s a classic look at the four things children really want for Christmas.

Gifts for Grown-Ups

Toys, books, clothes and treats will take care of most children’s wish lists. But most of us have adults we’re expected to exchange gifts with too. From the office party to family festivities, we find ourselves shopping for friends and relatives.

Here are a few great ideas to replace the leopard-print mugs and bottles of wine you might have been handing out in past years:

- Art. Art may technically be Stuff, but it’s a far cry from imported plastic junk. My most treasured gifts in the past year have been original art pieces by photographer Molly Tomlinson. These gifts can be surprisingly affordable. Many good-but-not-famous artists sell their work for $20 to $50 — no more than you’d spend on a Big Plastic Thing at the mall. To find good original art, go to holiday craft fairs, visit local studios, or search the listings on Etsy.

- Time. Many people love gifts of time. You can offer to babysit, to come to their house and help with an organizing project, or to paint their dining room. Last year, my husband gave me a pretty card with a year’s worth of babysitting commitments from friends and family. I burst into tears on the spot, but I’ve been all smiles every month since when we drop our kids off and go out for an evening alone together.

- Experiences. Movie tickets. A gift certificate to a favorite restaurant. Museum memberships. While a non-material gift may seem better suited to adults, even little kids can enjoy them. Last year, my mother presented my kids with a yearlong membership to the New England Aquarium. She took them there the day after Christmas, and they were also able to enjoy it several more times throughout the year.

- Charity. Charities depend on holiday season donations to make their year-end numbers work. You can help them out and cross some items off your gift list in one blow by donating in a loved one’s name. Charities like Heifer International, Kiva and the Red Cross all make it fun and easy with “virtual gifts”. For example, Heifer lets you give a family in the developing world a cow on your mom’s behalf. Have a cow, Mom!

- Fancy food. Who doesn’t love food? From baked goodies to homemade salsa, it’s hard to go wrong with tasty treats under the tree. Just be sure you know the giftee’s dietary restrictions. Anaphylactic shock is no one’s idea of a happy holiday.

- Handcrafts. It’s a time-honored tradition to give your own handcrafts to loved ones during the holiday season. You probably don’t have time to knit sweaters for everyone on your gift list, but many lovely crafts are easy and quick. You can get your kids involved in making ornaments, ceramic handprints or other treasures for grandparents. Craft supplies themselves can get expensive, but if you have a skill like knitting you can make beautiful unique gifts.

From the archives: One of the most popular posts in GRS history features more than 30 homemade Christmas gifts you make yourself.

Nothing at all Do you have to exchange gifts with every adult in your family? With your coworkers? Your friends? Think carefully about who to put on your gift list, and who would be better served by a thoughtful card or a warm phone call.

Many people have probably done their shopping already, so it’s too late to change course. But there’s always next year. (Or, if you’re a last-minute shopper like J.D., there’s still this year.) And consider joining The Compact in January. You’ll have lots of company, and a whole year to work up to a non-consumer holiday in 2011.

Source: getrichslowly.org