Inside: Looking for some great Easter basket ideas for boys? Our list has you covered! They will love these easter gifts for guys.
Easter is just around the corner, and if you’re like most parents, you’re probably scrambling to put together Easter baskets for your kids.
If you’re looking for some inspiration, we’ve got you covered with 20 awesome boys Easter basket ideas that are sure to please any little guy.
From action-packed toys and games to sweet treats and everything in between, these ideas have something for everyone.
So what are you waiting for? Get started on your Easter shopping today!
What do boys like for Easter?
Your boy is likely curious, (very) messy, and probably not thrilled about the idea of matching Easter outfits.
Depending on the age will depend on what boys like for Easter:
Toddler: think of Easter activity sets with plush stuffed animals.
5-7 year olds: a variety of gifts like Lego sets, slime kits, and games are a hit
8-11 year olds: graphic novels and sports gear is always a great choice.
Teens: remember, this age group is too cool, so add in jelly beans, their favorite t-shirt, and a creative coupon book.
What do you put in a boy’s Easter basket?
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You can either put together an Easter basket on a theme.
Or you could use this fun method of including these items:
This way you can personalize the basket to the little guy in your life.
awesome Easter basket ideas for boys
If you are looking for some inspiration for what to put in your little guy’s Easter basket this year, look no further!
This is where you will find Easter basket ideas for teens.
We have gathered together 20 of the most awesome Easter basket ideas for boys.
Star Wars Easter Basket
Ingredients needed to make a Star Wars Easter Basket include:
Star Wars-themed gift baskets
Lego Set
Action figures
Mini light sabers
Additionally, it would be great to add some decorations to the basket such as Star Wars-themed ribbon, stuffed animals, and mini flags.
Slime Easter Basket
This is a great activity for boys. It can be used for making slime animals, slime balls, and slime gobs.
It is also a great way to teach children about science.
Mega Hand STEM Experiment Kit
Build-your-own robotic hand designed to provide tweens with a fun and educational project.
works like the arms of an octopus, with a flexible soft design that can pick up almost any object. When you pull the trigger, it activates the mechanisms that make the claw work.
To complete the basket, add pull-back vehicles and kinetic sand eggs to provide hours of fun.
Sports Helmet Basket
Do you have a sports player in your house? Then, fill up his new helmet filled with Easter goodies!
Great way to gift something you need to buy anyway!
Perfect for your baseball, football, or skateboard fan!
Kindle Paperwhite for Kids
This is something we have purchased before for our kids.
It is such a hit!!
We prefer the paperwhite version over the Kindle Kids.
Tackle Box Basket
Many boys love to fish and hunt.
What better way to show your love for the outdoors than to give them a tackle box filled with the necessary tools to have fun?
There are many different options for Easter baskets, and any boy would love one of these.
Game Easter Basket
Whether you’re giving a basket to a young boy or a teen, there are plenty of great card games or board games out there.
Personally, I am amazed at the creativity of these games! They are truly geared toward today’s children and teens.
Check out the latest games! Amazon has the best selection!
Marvel-themed Easter baskets
Marvel has become one of the most popular comic book franchises in history.
With movies coming out on a regular basis, it’s no surprise that there are a lot of great Marvel-themed gifts out there.
Whether you’re looking for a toy, a video game, or just a fun gift, these baskets are sure to please!
Nintendo Switch
With its powerful hardware and a vast library of games, the Nintendo Switch can provide hours of entertainment right at your fingertips.
It features both a powerful home console and a portable device, so you can access your games from any location.
Already have a Nintendo Switch, find plenty of games here.
Ultimate Flying Disc
This Easter, give your son the ultimate Easter basket experience by giving him a LED flying frisbee. Not only will he have a blast playing with it, but he’ll also get a good workout.
Flying discs are a great way to get your son and his friends moving, and they’re also a lot of fun.
Shape Shifting Box
The patented, award-winning Shashibo fidget box features 36 rare earth magnets for an innovative design that transforms into over 70 shapes.
Unlike other puzzle box toys that turn out disappointing and boring, this one will be filled with hours of fun!
Playfoam Fidget Toy & Sensory Toys
Easter baskets are perfect for boys because they love to explore new things.
You can also add some fun sensory toys like Playfoam that never dries out! Just shape it however you like, then squash it back down and start all over again.
Under Armour Clothes
This is one of the hottest brands for guys.
Under Armour clothes are so cool because they are made of synthetic materials that are wind and water resistant.
This means that they can be wornand keep you dry.
Kids love all things UA!
Sports Themed Easter Basket
There are many sports themed Easter baskets that are perfect for boys.
You can stuff this adorable basket with balls, a baseball glove, and candy.
Sports themed Easter baskets are a great way to show your son how much you love and appreciate him.
Treasure Hunters
The Treasure Hunters basket is an awesome Easter basket idea for boys because it contains all the books in the Treasure Hunters series, written by renowned author James Patterson.
This basket provides an exciting mix of adventure and mystery that is sure to captivate tweens and keep them engaged in reading.
The books in the series follow a group of siblings as they travel the world in search of hidden treasure, encountering all manner of thrilling challenges along the way. This series also teaches valuable lessons about courage, family, and friendship, which makes it a great choice for young readers.
LEGO Creator 3-in-1 White Rabbit
The LEGO Creator 3-in-1 White Rabbit is a great Easter basket idea for boys because they can enjoy building the 258-piece rabbit, complete with a carrot!
Plus, the set is compact, making it easy to stow away for later use. Not to mention, it’s perfect for the Easter season, with its cute bunny and carrot design.
So, your little one can have fun building with their LEGO set and then decorate their room with the finished product!
NERF Vortex
This is the ultimate gift!
Highly popular throwing toy for all ages!
Plus it makes a high-pitched whistle when it flies through the air!
Adorable Bunny Stuffed Animal
Every little boy and toddler needs a stuffed animal in their lives.
This soft plush stuffed bunny is too cute to pass up!
Orange Carrot Teething Toy
For our infants and toddlers, this teether is perfect for little hands.
Candy Box Easter Basket
You have to include candy and snacks right?
Every boy will love a candy box – even though the parents may not be as keen on the idea.
FAQ
Finding the perfect Easter gift for a boy can be difficult, especially when you’re on a budget.
Whether you are shopping for a toddler, preteen, or teen, you don’t have to break the bank to put together an Easter basket he will love.
Find plenty of budget-friendly Easter gifts under $10 for boys of all ages.
For something extra special, consider adding a gift card, books, a cool t-shirt, or a creative coupon book.
This will be focused on their unique personality and interest.
For the 12-year-olds in your life, put together an Easter basket that’s fun and exciting.
Fill it with goodies that will spark creativity and keep them occupied long after the Easter bunny has come and gone.
No Easter basket is complete without treats, so add some chocolate eggs, marshmallows, or a batch of Easter-themed cookies.
Which Easter Basket Gift Set will you Choose?
Easter is a great time to celebrate Easter baskets for boys.
Our list of 20 fantastic options has everything from slime to sports gear to games!
Don’t forget ideas for Easter basket ideas for girls!
Now that Easter is just around the corner, so it’s time to start shopping for what to put in those baskets!
If you’re stuck on ideas, be sure to check out our list. We’ve got 20 great options that any boy is sure to love.
Oh, and don’t forget those Easter basket stuffers!
So what are you waiting for? Get shopping!
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!
With layoffs, bank closures and inflation, financial tensions remain high for many Americans heading into the summer. In a fall 2022 survey conducted by The Harris Poll for the American Psychological Association, 83% of adults said inflation was a source of stress, and 56% said they and/or their family had to make different choices in the last month because they didn’t have enough money.
Making tough money choices is stressful, and sacrificing “wants” to afford the “needs” can be disappointing. But, if you’re questioning the financial impact of your summer plans or they have suddenly become out of reach, there are still ways to have fun, save money and put yourself in a better place for next year.
Pivot to a positive mindset
In the face of canceled summer plans, Rob Bertman, a family budgeting expert and certified financial planner in Missouri, suggests flipping your mindset from disappointment to opportunity. Use the moment to talk about money decisions with your partner or kids.
“I think it’s always good for kids to see that their parents are trying to learn and get better,” he says.
With children, Bertman says to avoid language like “we can’t afford it” or “it’s too expensive” because that can lead to a scarcity mindset. Instead, he suggests reframing the difficult choice as one that benefits the family in the long run.
The key to this attitude shift is not losing sight of your priorities. What you’re looking for, ultimately, is to make memories with people you love. While vacations seem primed for those frame-worthy moments, sometimes the things that matter most happen in your own backyard.
Reduce the cost of activities
Summer is prime time for free events, but you’ll have to put in a little work to find cheap events in your area. Even still, having things to look forward to on your calendar can be a big emotional lift.
A membership to a zoo, park, aquarium or museum could pay off in multiple visits all summer long. In addition, it’s a great way to get out of the house and enjoy the weather — or escape the heat, depending on where you live.
If a membership is too pricey, you might have a workaround in your wallet. For example, Bank of America credit card holders are eligible for the Museums on Us program, which provides free general admission to over 225 cultural centers across the country on the first full weekend of each month.
AAA members can get discounted tickets to concerts, movies, sporting events and amusement parks. And don’t forget your local library. Some offer free “experience passes” to gardens, museums, zoos and parks.
Once you pick an activity, cut costs by bringing your own food. You’ll save money on that last-minute drive-through meal or overpriced snack. When dining out, look for places where you can BYOB because alcoholic drinks can sometimes double the bill.
If you still want to travel, consider someplace close or split the cost with family or friends. “The easiest thing to do is treat your city or town like you’re a tourist,” Bertman says. Drop a pin or draw a circle around your town and find drivable destinations to explore, he suggests.
A vacation rental that was $3,000 might suddenly become affordable if you’re paying only $1,500. Grandparents might be happy to join in to make family memories — and you might even get a date night out of it.
Set yourself up for next summer
Automate summer savings. If having a full summer schedule is nonnegotiable, it might be time to prioritize this in your budget. Automatically transferring a fixed amount of money into a separate savings account each paycheck can help you build funds so you’ll have them set aside by next summer. Months with fewer holidays and birthdays are also prime for boosting additional savings, according to Bertman.
Be flexible. Life is unpredictable. Protect your plans by booking hotels with free cancellation policies or flights with refundable tickets to avoid fees or lost deposits. Travel insurance is another option, and some plans cover your reservations and medical expenses.
Check in on spending weekly. Bertman recommends conducting five-minute weekly spending reviews to see where your money is going. It will eventually become a habit — but set judgment and guilt aside. “Once families kind of get in the rhythm of doing that,” he says, “they figure out how to really cut out their spending without sacrificing their lifestyle.”
This article was written by NerdWallet and was originally published by The Associated Press.
You know how some directors have a habit of casting the same actors over and over again? Many of the best filmmakers have found that one star they love to work with and, as a result, keep going back to.
Steven Spielberg had his Tom Hanks, Scorsese had his DeNiro (and now, his DiCaprio), Tarantino has his always-growing group of rotating players (with his most recent work, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood being no exception).
Well, it would seem that there isn’t much difference when it comes to movie homes. Not every home can easily accommodate a filming set, ensure proper lighting, and complement the movie it’ll be featured in.
Then you have to factor in the actual location of the home, that needs not only to fit the general feel of the movie (and hopefully provide some killer surroundings for extra shots), but also how easy it is to reach for the entire filming crew and suite of actors that will be working on set.
But the contemporary home at 5941 Philip Ave. in Malibu seems to be a top choice among Hollywood filmmakers — so much so that it’s worthy of its own IMDB page.
The Malibu property — which overlooks the world-famous Zuma Beach — has been featured in countless major motion picture and television shows including The Assassination of Gianni Versace (though not as the actual Versace house), Blow, Like Mike, and Ray Donovan.
And it’s easy to see why: touted as one of the best white water and coastline ocean view estate in all of Malibu Park, the contemporary home at 5941 Philip Ave. is an incredibly luxurious build with 20-foot tall ceiling-to-floor glass windows that showcase some of the most incredible sunset views in all of California.
The home — currently on the market for $15,996,000 — features an entire level completely dedicated to a wide open floor plan of 2,000 square feet, making it an entertainer’s dream that can comfortably accommodate up to 200 people (or, to go back to where we started, a full filming crew and their bulky equipment).
Standing on a generous 151,617-square-foot lot, the Zuma Beach-facing property comes with 6 bedrooms and 5.5 baths and isn’t the only abode on the grounds. There’s also a 2,000-square-foot guest house, itself set up with 2 beds and 2 baths that can accommodate all those party guests.
A private 70-foot long pool and spa let you take in the relaxing feel of the property, complete with an envy-inducing ‘soundtrack’: hearing the waves crash upon the Zuma Beach sand.
More homes from movies & TV shows
Is It Real? Edward Cullen’s Sleek Glass House in the Twilight Saga Skyfall, James Bond’s Childhood Home in the Scottish Highlands Bong Joon Ho’s House in the Oscar-Winning ‘Parasite’ is One You Won’t Forget Anytime Soon The Futuristic, Secluded House in the Movie ‘Ex Machina’ is More Remote than You Think
When my husband and I were first married we were on an extremely tight budget. We relocated from Ohio for him to go to a very expensive graduate school, and I had no job!
Eventually, I got a job as a career counselor and student affairs administrator at San Diego State University.
His tuition was about 1/3 of my gross salary. Fortunately, we had some savings to help with expenses.
This story explains how we managed to invest on a small salary, and ultimately grew our initial investment over 6 times.
The Investing Crucible
My first introduction to the 403(b) was through my employer. I made the decision to contribute the maximum allowed by law, even though I knew we couldn’t live on the rest of my salary.
I’d be lying if I said we didn’t miss the $800 per month retirement plan contribution, because we did.
And we couldn’t have done this had we not saved up a bit during the previous years to help tide us over.
Was this crazy or not?
My thinking was, I would dip into savings in order to meet our living expenses if necessary, and we would live as cheaply as possible.
We didn’t borrow for my husband’s tuition and we paid our credit card off in full every month. During those first two years of graduate school, before my husband started working part time, times were tough. (Side note; one year we were on a game show and won enough to pay for one year’s tuition)
Our entertainment consisted of pot luck dinners with our friends or happy hour at the local Tio Leo’s where one drink entitle you to a nice buffet of chicken wings, tacos, and snacks. That was our dinner. We rented movies for $1.00 at the video store (yes, back in the day, you had to go to a store and rent a movie).
There were plenty of months where we dipped into our savings because we transferred $900 per month from my salary into our TIAA-CREF 403(b) and my gross salary was only about $3,000 per month. As my salary increased, I increased the account contribution to the maximum allowed by law.
The Investing Payoff
My employer did not contribute to this account at all.
Since the early 1990’s until today, the account increased 6.38 times. Every dollar I contributed 20+ years ago is now worth $6.38.
After I left this job, I never contributed to this account again. As a matter of fact, I didn’t even change the asset allocation of this account which was 25% invested in a TIAA fixed return annuity and 75% in the CREF stock fund.
Notice the 14.4% return from January to September, 2013. That was lower than the return we would have earned had the asset allocation held more stock investments and less fixed. But for us, I like to keep a percent of our overall portfolio diversified into cash and bonds to smooth out the volatility, even if that hampers long term returns.
The Power of Investing Now
During the previous 20 years since I left this job, there have been times when the value of this account went down and other periods when it went up. As John Bogle recommends, I didn’t pay much attention to the value, because I had no intention of withdrawing the funds.
Had we not made the decision to struggle financially during those years, there is no way we would have the available assets we have today.
Personal Disclosure
To be perfectly honest, moving from Ohio to Southern California was a bit of a culture shock. As a “down to earth” girl, not overly obsessed with fancy cars etc., the So. Cal. environment was a shock. Everywhere you turned there was another luxury car. Appearances were very important!
This didn’t make me feel bad, while I drove my Chevy Cavalier, but it surprised me.
I knew I wanted to become wealthy eventually , and I understood that saving and investing was the way to get there. Well, saving, investing, and of course building up our earnings.
I enjoyed our lifestyle and realized how lucky we were to live in beautiful Southern California. I’d be lying if I said there weren’t times when I wished we had more disposable income:). But overall, I appreciate our former financial choices as I see the great payoff today.
That said, I don’t think we could have met our financial goals as easily had we not decided to move to a more affordable place to live while raising our daughter.
The Real Secret to Wealth
This simple chart shows the power of leaving your money in the markets and letting it compound. This is the value of 1 penny doubling every day for a month. On day 31, the doubling of the prior day’s funds equals over $10 million.
Although you won’t find a 100 percent return anywhere legitimate, notice how it took quite awhile for the true benefit of the compounded growth to be realized.
We continued to contribute the maximum to our workplace retirement accounts, IRA’s, Roth IRA’s, and 529 College Savings account. Nothing deterred us from our aggressive saving and investing. As our income grew, our lifestyle improved, but never went “over the top”. Not until recently have we experienced the explosion of growth from our compounded investing.
All of our older accounts show the same type of growth as that initial TIAA-CREF workplace retirement account. Although, I wouldn’t have believed it at the time, the longer you leave your money in the markets to compound, the greater the growth.
Time in the markets, even more than investment returns, is the greatest predictor of wealth from investing. In fact, Albert Einstein once commented that compound interest is one of the greatest wonders of the world.
Investing Rules for Wealth Building
Time in the markets is the most precious commodity when it comes to investing. By leaving money in the markets to grow, the initial account contributions can multiply. Keep the money invested for a shorter period and there’s less time for the sum to compound. Even if you choose to expand into other investing, like p2p lending with lending club or with M1 Finance make sure you have time on your side when you are doing it.
Decide whether you are willing to make a tradeoff. You can’t have everything now and later. Ask yourself if you’re willing to sacrifice a bit now for the likelihood of having more later.
This is a guest post from Barbara Friedberg, MBA, MS, is a portfolio manager, former university finance instructor and publisher of the investing website, Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance.com.
By Peter Anderson35 Comments – The content of this website often contains affiliate links and I may be compensated if you buy through those links (at no cost to you!). Learn more about how we make money. Last edited May 6, 2019.
Christmas time is one of the most joyous times of the year at our house, but if you’re not careful it can also be one of the most expensive times of year. If you’re trying to cut down on spending, like we are at our house, it can become a challenge to find creative gifts to give.
Today I thought I would try to put together a list of ideas for some good frugal gifts that you can give this Christmas. (The frugality of the gifts vary from gift to gift, but I’ve linked some possibilities on Amazon. You can probably find some cheaper ways to put these things together yourself if you try.)
Check out the newly expanded list: 100 Frugal Christmas Gifts
50 Frugal Gifts
Baked goods: I don’t know any guy who wouldn’t love to get a box full of cookies, banana bread and pastries! (Hint: not good for someone on a diet)
If you’ve got an old laptop, make a frugal digital picture frame out of it!: At 14-15″ it’ll be bigger than most you buy at the stores, and cheaper since you’ll be using old parts!
Personalized Calendars: Most photo processing places will have these personalized calendars you can buy, or pick up pre-made ones in Target’s dollar bins. Get photos of you and the person you’re giving the gift to in each season, and place them in the appropriate month/season of the year!
Themed gift baskets: Give a themed gift basket. For example, a movie night theme basket with microwave popcorn, a movie or two, and some cheapo popcorn buckets from Target dollar bin.
Custom t-shirts: Create your own custom t-shirt for a family member on Cafepress. It’s cheaper than you might think!
Scrapbooks: Make a scrapbook for a close friend showng moments you’ve shared together. My wife did this for a friend’s wedding. Very meaningful.
Donation to a local charity: Give to a local charity in someone’s name. Make sure it’s a charity that they would actually give to.
Handmade Christmas ornaments: make personalized Christmas ornaments for your friends and family!
Board Games: buy a board game, a gift that gets the family together and keeps on giving all year long! Even better, if you can find some board games at garage sales or on ebay, create a themed game night gift basket (see above)!
Family history DVD: Put together a family history DVD with photos, writtten family histories, video and anything else you can think of.
Framed family picture: Take a picture at a family event, frame it, and give it as a gift!
Coupon Books: Make a personalized coupon book with such favorite coupons as “back rub”, “dinner” or “clean the house”.
Make a blanket: make a nice fleece blanket. Instructions here.
Make some custom painted wine glasses: Make some custom painted wine glasses, and then give them along with a bottle of wine. Instructions here.
Give a magazine subscription: My brother loves reading National Geographic and the Economist. We gave him subscriptions as a gift.
Romantic evening gift set: Candles and fake flower petals! Cheap and fun!
Keeping warm gift set: Give a gift set of hat, scarf and gloves. Add long underwear as well if you wish!
Leatherbound journal: buy a nice leatherbound journal at your local Borders or Barnes and Noble. They make for a nice gift. Add a nice pen if you want to pay a little more.
Craft Kit: Put together a crafting kit with things like markers, glitter, scissors, clay, crayons, glue, paper, etc.
Photo Collage: If you’re handy with Photoshop or another image editing software, create a photo collage/montage, print it out and frame it! Or if you don’t have Photoshop, print separate pictures and create a collage.
Movie Tickets: Buy a pair of movie passes or a movie gift card for someone to go see a movie. Not as cheap as it used to be :).
Buy a single stock: Buy a family member a single stock to get them started, and give them a copy of a finance book like Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover (although you may want to stress that you’re giving it because it has helped you. People can get touchy about money related gifts)
Flannel Sheets and PJs: Buy a keeping comfy gift pack with flannel sheets and pajamas!
Coffee Lovers Gift Pack: Buy some gourmet coffee and a personalized coffee cup for the coffee lover on your list.
Set of soaps, towels and soap dish: Put together a nice matching set of hand towel and soap dish, and then give some handmade soaps.
Big breakfast gift pack: Put together a gift pack with pancake mix, batter dispenser, syrup and pancake mix-ins.
Puzzle day: Give a gift pack of a puzzle and snacks to eat while you do the puzzle!
BBQ Kit: Get some BBQ sauce from local source, and add it to a nice BBQ Utensil kit.
Basket of spices and seasonings: Put together a basket of seasonings and spices from a local spice or grocery store. Make sure to get a good mix for cooking, BBQs, etc.
Netflix subscription: Pay for someone to have netflix for a couple of months. If they have a connected device, they can even stream movies!
Deck of cards and book of card games: Buy a cheap pack of cards, and a book listing the rules of different card games. Good for hours of fun!
Cheap keychain digital picture viewer: Buy someone a cheap digital picture viewer keychain (around $20?) and fill it with pictures.
Bath time gift pack: Buy a nice wash clothe, some bath oils/beads and even some lotions at your local bath store.
Mix tape: Make a mix CD from Itunes with some of the person’s favorite music on it.
Botanicals: buy a nice low maintenance plant to brighten up their day, along with a small watering can.
Make a recipe box: If you’re good with wood, make a nice recipe box, and fill it with blank recipe cards.
An appreciation book: Get a nice journal, and write in it to the person about how much you appreciate them, things you love about them, shared moments and experiences and general encouragement. Even add a few photos.
Book gift pack: Find some books on your own shelf that you’ve already read, and put together a gift pack of books
Chocolate attack!: Put together a gift pack with all kinds of chocolate. Hot chocolate, chocolate bars, truffles, etc.
Car wash kit: Put together a kit for washing the car. Can include things like sponge, tire brush, bug remover, car soap, etc.
Regifted items: Did you get a 2nd crock pot last Christmas that you haven’t used? Give it away this Christmas (to someone other than who you received it from)
“That’s a spicy meatball” gift pack: Give them a nice italian dinner with a pasta bowl, pasta, strainer, fancy olive oil, pasta utensils and even some sauce.
Give your service: Good at cooking? Offer to come over and cook a gourment meal. Are you a designer? Offer your design services for free. Good with computers? Offer free tech support. You get the idea.
Wine and cheese gift pack: Buy a variety of specialty cheeses, crackers and a bottle of wine. Put it together and you have one gourment evening!
Picnic pack: Put together a picnic pack with a blanket, a basket, some cheap utensils and plates.
Sewing Kit & lessons: put together all the sewing essentials (thread, needles, pins, etc) and then give the person lessons on how to sew.
Gardening gift pack: Buy the person gardening gloves, gardening tools and some seeds. Put them all in a small bucket or waterging can.
Handmade jewelry: Make a handmade necklace or bracelet at a local bead or craft store. Give it as a meaningful gift.
Music lover’s delight: give an itunes gift card, along with a book about their favorite artist or band
Beer afficionado gift pack: Give a beer mug, snacks and gift card from a local brew pub.
A Birdhouse: Give your loved one of these bluebird houses so they can relax on the porch and watch the colorful avians.
Now that I’ve given you some ideas for some frugal Christmas gifts, why don’t you give us your own ideas! Leave a comment with your idea for a good frugal Christmas gift below!
More Ideas
50 ideas not enough? Here’s some more ideas for a frugal Christmas!
For the most part, we think of hobbies as activities that we naturally gravitate toward. The idea of being strategic in our selection of hobbies may seem contradictory to their very nature! However, I think that being strategic in the selection and pursuit of hobbies isn’t mutually exclusive with enjoying yourself. What’s more, you have options in how to strategize.
The Hobby-as-Side-Gig Option
One obvious method of making your hobbies work for you is by getting others to pay you to do them! Maybe you enjoy making quilts but hate the outlay of money and Stuff. Plus, how many quilts do you (and the friends and family you make gifts for) really need? By selling what you make on sites like Ebay or Etsy, you can keep your house uncluttered and come out ahead financially.
This method may work best for hobbies that produce an end result that takes up space, especially if the process of making the item appeals to you as much or more than the item itself. You can always take a picture of the item you made before selling it. That way, you can look back and admire your handiwork without having to store and dust it.
Another twist on the hobby-as-side-gig option is providing a service instead of a product. Perhaps you enjoy something like writing, event planning, or tinkering with cars or electronics. Many people hate those tasks (or don’t have time for them). Offering up your services for a fee can lead to a tidy profit for something you enjoy.
There are a couple of caveats with service hobbies, however. Many times, you will have to work around another person’s schedule rather than your own. Having a deadline can take a lot of the enjoyment out of an activity. Additionally, charging for some services requires obtaining a professional license. That process can be more expensive or time-consuming than it’s worth, especially for an activity that’s intended for your spare time.
The Hobby-as-Something-You-Have-to-Do-Anyway Option
A number of studies have poked holes in Malcolm Gladwell’s claim in Outliers that 10,000 hours of practice will “automatically” make you an expert in any domain. Some skills take longer to learn than others, and innate ability may make some skills easier to learn for some individuals. However, two conclusions seem to be generally supported by the literature:
First, the more you do something, the better you are likely to get at it.
Second, the better you are at something, the more likely you are to enjoy it.
So use that to your advantage. Come up with a skill-based task that you have to do no matter what and make a conscious effort to improve in that area.
As I’ve mentioned on several occasions, one of my hobbies is cooking. I came to that hobby after becoming vegetarian (a transition I made for a couple of reasons, mainly health-related). However, I quickly discovered that if you want delicious food as a vegetarian, you pretty much have to make it yourself.
Tip: In fact, if you are looking for strategies to cut back on restaurant spending, try going veggie! The dearth of options will do a lot to kill your desire to grab a quick bite.
From there the line of thinking went, W ell, if I have to eat, and cooking myself is the best option, I might as well be really good at it. I started simple. As I’ve gotten better I’ve used techniques like the Pinterest strategy to branch out and expand my comfort zone. At this point I’ve won my office’s holiday appetizer competition two years in a row!
Maybe you’ve got a flair for fashion, so you develop your thrift-store skills. You’ve got to wear clothes, after all, at least in public! These hobbies may not earn you any money. However, they might enable you to increase your enjoyment of activities you used to think of as a chore. Plus, you might find time- and cost-saving strategies that will make your life even easier.
The Free-or-Super-Cheap Hobby
These are hobbies where you either don’t have to spend any money or can make a dollar stretch a long way. My library card, for example, lets me check out books for free. While I sometimes have to wait for a new release, the selection’s good enough that I can always find something off of my to-read list. If fiction’s not your bag, you can even check out personal finance books from your public library!
My love of fiction also goes beyond books. A well-crafted TV show is a source of endless joy for me. I don’t like movies because two hours later you’re right back where you started. Most of my favorite TV shows, however, have 100 episodes or more. At one or two episodes a night, that’s something I can sink my teeth into! The selection of movies on Netflix streaming leaves, shall we say, something to be desired. But for $8 per month, I have access to more TV shows than I’ll ever be able to watch.
Some “free” hobbies can be deceptive. I recently started jogging with a friend from work because the community trails are free and easy to access. Once we started going longer distances, I discovered my shoes are woefully inadequate. And I’m not willing to just go with the cheapest replacement option when doing so could lead to discomfort or injury. But at least I waited until I determined that I enjoyed jogging before spending money on shoes! Here’s a list of other tips for saving money on hobbies.
You Don’t Have to Cut Every Expensive Hobby
This isn’t to say that every single hobby has to make you money or be low-cost or free. I really enjoy hot yoga, which is fairly expensive. However, by saving some dough on the majority of my hobbies, I can budget in something that is on the pricier side.
Even then I am strategic. I can’t afford the unlimited monthly pass (and I don’t fool myself that I will go that often anyway). So I buy the 25-pack that expires in a year. That way I can feed my yoga addiction once every couple of weeks without breaking the bank.
Do you strategically choose your hobbies? Share your experiences on cutting costs or even making money below!
Inside: You are wanting to work from home. Here are the best non phone work from home jobs. Exactly what you wanted to find.
Are you looking for a work from home job but don’t want to deal with people? You’re in luck!
There are plenty of non-phone jobs that allow you to work from the comfort of your own home.
This is becoming more and more popular because it allows you autonomous work without the influence of talking to others.
Plus we will cover the best non phone work from home jobs! There are many options available.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of the 35 best non-phone jobs for you:
Can you work from home without talking on the phone?
Yes, you can work from home without talking on the phone.
More and more jobs are transitioning away from the use of a phone. So, there is no better time than to transition yourself.
Best non phone work from home jobs
Here is a comprehensive list of the best non phone work from home jobs.
You will find a variety of part-time, full-time, and contract opportunities in a wide range of fields. Also, the opportunity to become your own boss.
1. Stock Trader
Stock traders must have a good understanding of market trends, economic forces, and have the ability to make quick decisions based on their analysis.
The benefits of working as a stock trader include high pay, job security, and the potential to make a lot of money if the stock market is performing well.
Additionally, stock traders are able to work from home and have flexible hours, meaning that they can plan their working day around other commitments.
Personally, this is one way I make money is by trading stocks and options. Join the $1000 in a day club.
2. Video Editor
A video editor is someone who works with audio and visual content to create cohesive and engaging visuals for either commercial or creative purposes.
They use various software programs to manipulate video clips, sounds, and images in order to create a compelling story. The role of a video editor involves careful attention to detail and the ability to utilize a wide range of software and hardware.
The advantages of a job as a video editor include the potential to work from home and create a flexible schedule, as well as the potential to make great money, depending on the level of experience.
Additionally, it can be a great way to express creativity and further develop important skills.
On the other hand, one of the major disadvantages of working as a video editor is the high stress level that comes with the role.
Video editors are often under pressure to deliver projects under tight deadlines, which can lead to increased pressure and stress. Additionally, there is often a steep learning curve, as video editing requires a lot of technical knowledge and experience.
3. Proofreader
Proofreading is a non-phone work from home job that involves reading and carefully reviewing written documents for errors of spelling, grammar, syntax, and punctuation. It also involves making sure that the text makes sense and is consistent with the document’s purpose.
Proofreaders are expected to identify and correct errors as they appear in the text.
The pay for proofreaders is typically between $44k and $58k per year.
To make the job easier, I would take the Proofreading Anywhere course to understand what is expected of you.
4. Data Entry Jobs
Data entry clerks are often required to sort, organize, and verify the accuracy of data before entering it into the computer system.
Additionally, this type of job does not require any prior experience and can be learned quickly.
Data entry clerks can usually make an hourly wage, which makes it a great option for those looking for a side income. Furthermore, data entry clerks are often hired for short-term or part-time projects, allowing them to pick and choose their hours.
5. Writer
Typically, the role of a writer is to produce content, such as blog posts, articles, product reviews, press releases, and more, for various companies.
Writers must have a good command of the English language and demonstrate great grammar and spelling in order to be successful. Additionally, writers must have the ability to create content that is search engine optimized and persuasive.
Many people have found the Earn More Writing course helpful to bump start your freelance writing potential.
All in all, freelance writing is a great way to make a living and offers flexible hours, the potential for long-term growth, and higher pay rates.
6. Web Search Evaluator
Search engine evaluators have the important job of ensuring that search engine results are relevant and accurate to the user’s intent.
For example, a user might enter the search query ‘chocolate cupcake recipes’, and the search engine should return relevant results such as recipes. If the search results are irrelevant or inaccurate, the search engine evaluator is tasked with rating them accordingly.
Search engine evaluators typically earn around $20 per hour and can make up to $40k a year if they take the job as full-time professional.
7. Virtual Bookkeeper
A virtual bookkeeper is a professional who can provide bookkeeping services to businesses from remote location.
Most people choose to work for themselves as a bookkeeper with a bookkeeping side gig (or full-time business).
One of the main benefits of working as a virtual bookkeeper is that no college degree or qualification is needed to get started. Generally, bookkeepers charge around $80 an hour or more for their services.
Finally, you can learn more about getting started with Bookkeeper Launch to help you become a freelance bookkeeper.
8. Image Reviewer and Photo Editor
Similar to a video editor, a photo editor’s duties include, but are not limited to, ensuring that images display the desired quality, accuracy, and clarity; checking for visual consistency across all images; editing images to make them look more appealing; and providing feedback on the images.
Additionally, they may be responsible for curating collections of images, creating new content, and managing projects.
For those looking to sell on Shutterstock, this is a great side hustle.
9. Create and Sell Printables on Etsy
With a little creativity and the right software, you can create unique printables that customers can purchase and print out themselves.
This can be a great way for you to make passive income with minimal effort.
In fact, my friends Cody and Julie did so well selling printables; they now teach others how to make a living creating and selling printables.
10. Selling on Amazon (FBA program)
This is a way to make money by reselling products you find online or in brick and mortar stores on Amazon for a higher price.
Amazon will ship the products to your customers, handle customer service, and even provide storage for the products.
With the right amount of work and dedication, you can make quite a bit of money with FBA.
11. Blogger
With blogging, you have the ability to work from anywhere in the world with just a computer and an internet connection.
You can write about whatever topics you are passionate about and be your own boss.
You can also make money blogging through various income streams such as affiliate marketing, paid sponsorships, ads, and more.
12. ESL Instructor
The job of an ESL (English as a second language) instructor is to provide English language instruction, usually via webcam, to those who are not native English speakers.
The benefits of this job are numerous: it allows for flexible hours, can be done from anywhere in the world, and offers an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of learners from all over the world. Additionally, being an ESL instructor allows one to learn about other cultures, stay up to date with language trends, and gain valuable professional experience.
To get the job, you need to have a thorough understanding of the English language and pass any certification tests.
This is a great type of job that pays weekly.
13. Virtual Assistant
A virtual assistant (VA) is a professional who provides administrative and technical support to clients remotely. They help with a variety of tasks like answering emails, data entry, blog management, bookkeeping, editing, proofreading, marketing, research, filing documents, and customer service – to name just a few.
The type of services you offer will depend on your skills, experience, and education.
The biggest benefit of working as a VA is that you can work from home and set your own hours.
And the pay can be quite lucrative, with rates ranging from $25 to $100 an hour.
If you’re interested in becoming a VA, Kayla Sloan offers a free workshop that teaches people how to become Virtual Assistants and makes up to $10,000 a month. Download her Virtual Assistant checklist.
14. Accountant
An accountant is a professional who is responsible for tracking financial records and preparing financial statements for a business or individual. They ensure that their clients’ finances are accurate and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
One of the primary benefits of working from home as an accountant is flexibility. You are able to work your own hours and set your own schedule. This allows you to create a better work-life balance and also gives you more time to spend with your family.
15. Freelance Jobs
A freelancer is someone who does work for themselves and not for a company.
This is typically contract-type work.
You can find freelance jobs on sites such as Upwork, Fiverr, or People Per Hour.
The best way to freelance is to know your own skills and how to monetize them.
16. Editor
An editor is a professional who is responsible for reviewing and improving documents, whether that be in print, online, or even on video.
Editing involves ensuring accuracy, flow, grammar, and style. This is a great non phone work from home job because it allows for great flexibility and does not require a college degree.
Most positions are freelance which means that you can work on your own schedule and take on as much work as you can.
17. Social Media Manager
Social Media Managers are in charge of maintaining a client’s presence on a variety of social media sites, such as Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Twitter, and Google Plus.
They are expected to respond to comments, manage brand partnerships, create posts, photos, and videos, and track analytics to come up with an effective marketing strategy to promote their client’s accounts.
In addition to creating content, Social Media Managers typically monitor and moderate what is posted on the client’s social media accounts. They are usually responsible for ensuring that the content is appropriate and that the rules and regulations of the platform are followed.
The potential salary range for Social Media Managers can vary, but they can typically make $78000 per year.
18. Transcriber
A transcriber’s role is to convert audio recordings into written documents. They listen to audio files and type out what they hear.
Transcribers have the advantage of being able to work from home and can earn up to $21 per hour or more if they start their own business. They also have the potential to increase their wage upon gaining more experience.
Additionally, transcribers do not need to interact with other people, making it an ideal job for those who are more introverted or prefer working alone.
Finally, there are various resources available to help transcribers get started, including free mini-courses and companies that hire experienced and beginner transcribers.
19. Marketing Associate
As a Marketing Associate, you’ll be responsible for a wide variety of tasks, including developing and executing marketing campaigns, conducting market research, creating content, and managing and optimizing paid search, video creation, and other digital marketing efforts.
Additionally, you may be asked to support customer service via live chat, social media, text, and email.
The ideal candidate for this role will have excellent communication skills, be proficient in typing and have excellent spelling and grammar, and be passionate about social media platforms.
20. House sitter
A house sitter is someone who stays in a home while the homeowners are away and provides care for the premises and any pets that the homeowners may have.
The job of a house sitter includes tasks such as watering plants, taking out trash, and performing general maintenance of the property.
House sitters can benefit from the opportunity to experience different places, save money on rent, and have some extra time to explore their surroundings.
Platforms such as TrustedHousesitter.com make finding house-sitting jobs easier than ever before.
21. Online Tutor
The role of an online tutor is to guide students in their studies and help them understand a particular subject or skill virtually, through video chat or online software. Plus you have the opportunity to work with students from different countries.
Online tutoring jobs vary in requirements, but typically a bachelor’s degree or current college enrollment is needed.
They provide instruction and guidance, assist students with assignments, answer questions, and give feedback on their progress. The tutor also has a responsibility to motivate and encourage their students to stay on task and reach their academic goals.
22. Pet-Sitting Jobs
Pet sitting jobs can be a great way to make some extra money from home while spending time with animals (and not people)!
With Rover, you can earn anywhere between $10 and $20 an hour for dog walking, $20-30 for overnight stays, and some people are even making $1000+ a month in metro city areas. As a pet sitter, you have to stay at home with someone else’s pets and they pay you for taking care of their pets.
Rover.com is a great platform to find pet sitting jobs as they offer a wide range of services such as dog walking, pet sitting, and pet care.
23. Personal Stylist
Personal styling is an exciting and relatively new job that offers the opportunity to work from home. The role of a personal stylist is to help clients express their individual style through the selection of clothes, accessories, and other items.
It involves curating a set number of clothing items and accessories based on the client’s fashion profile. This job requires an eye for detail, an innate sense of style, and creativity.
It’s perfect for creative individuals who are passionate about fashion and have an eye for details.
24. Website Tester
Website testers are typically paid to assess the overall user experience on a website and provide feedback on how to improve it. W
You do not need a phone to complete your tasks; they only require a laptop with a webcam and microphone to record your observations.
Website testing is a non-phone work from home job that pays good money to ensure that websites are user-friendly. It is a flexible and straightforward way to make some extra cash.
25. Closed Captioner
A closed captioner is a person who transcribes audio into text for specific use on video.
This is a great job for those who learn and work better visually, as well as those who can type quickly and accurately. This type of work allows for a very flexible work schedule, meaning you can work when you are most productive and there is no need for any phone interactions.
You get the freedom to work on your own schedule and make a decent amount of money doing something that doesn’t require phone conversations.
26. Online Test Scorer
An online test scorer is responsible for scoring assessments such as tests, exams, and essays from students of high school or college. This job requires a certain level of expertise, as the test scorer must be able to interpret and evaluate the quality of the assessments accurately and fairly.
The test scorer must also be able to maintain the confidentiality of the students’ answers and grades and be able to provide feedback that is relevant and constructive.
This job typically requires a bachelor’s degree, and it is often seasonal with part-time hours.
27. Translator
The role of a translator is to take a language and convert it into another language, be it oral, written, or audio.
Translators not only have to be multi-lingual and have a good command of grammar and spelling, but they also need to be able to convey the meaning of the words they are translating accurately. They can work on a variety of projects, from subtitling to full-length books.
There is a wide range of online platforms on offer, so translators can pick the one that best suits their skill set and desired pay rate.
28. Graphic Designer
A Graphic Designer is someone who is skilled in using platforms like Photoshop, Canva, and other software to create visual and graphical designs.
Typically, these designs are used for things like logos and branding materials, websites, social media content, or clothing.
You must have a creative flair, as well as knowledge of graphic design and the required software. In order to be successful, they must have a computer with a good internet connection and the programs necessary to do the job.
29. Medical Coder and Biller
A medical coder and biller are responsible for translating a patient’s symptoms, diagnosis, and medication prescribed by a doctor into codes.
These codes are then entered into a database for the biller to use, who will turn them into a bill to be submitted to the patient’s insurance company.
The average pay scale for medical coders and billers can range from $45k – $65k per year, and they can find many remote positions on job sites like Indeed.com.
30. Instructional Designer
The role of an Instructional Designer is to research, write, design, and create training courses and manuals for a variety of people, such as educators, students, and employees.
Instructional designers need a degree in the subject being written about, or a degree in education, and should enjoy writing and editing. Working from home as an Instructional Designer has many benefits.
Working from home in an Instructional Designer role gives you the freedom to explore new methods and techniques to create the best possible course or manual.
31. Non-Phone Remote Nursing Jobs
With more and more companies offering remote work opportunities, there are many non-phone remote nursing jobs available.
The type of work ranges from utilization review nurses, clinical research associates, and data abstractors all work with data and compliance, ensuring procedures are being followed correctly and that they are medically necessary.
Companies such as Cigna, CVS, Flatiron, PPD, and UnitedHealth Group are just some of the many hiring companies offering these types of remote nursing positions.
32. Fraud Investigator
Fraud investigators are in demand in many industries, including financial institutions, e-commerce stores, healthcare companies, and insurance companies. As a fraud investigator, you’ll be tasked with looking for fraud, abuse, and irregularities in financial transactions.
If you have an eye for detail and like doing research, this could be a great non-phone job opportunity for you.
Companies usually require customer service experience or a criminal justice degree and/or a CAMS certification (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist). It’s a great way to make a good income without having to pick up the phone.
33. Community Moderator
A community moderator is a person who oversees online forums, groups, and social media accounts to ensure that rules and regulations are being followed, questions are being answered, and spam and junk content are being removed.
It is an online opportunity where moderators can be employed to manage and moderate comments on various social media sites and chat rooms.
The benefits of working as a community moderator include the opportunity to work from home and a flexible schedule. Additionally, moderators will gain experience in digital engagement, such as moderating forums, chatting with customers, managing communities, and buzzing on social media.
34. Netflix Tagger
The Netflix Tagger is a real job opportunity that allows individuals to work from home watching movies and tagging them with the appropriate keywords, genres, and descriptions.
This job is ideal for those who have a passion for movies and experience or education in radio, television, and film.
Working as a Netflix Tagger (also known as Metadata Analyst) is not only rewarding but it is also beneficial for those who want to work remotely without having to make phone calls or talk to customers.
35. Provider Enrollment Specialist
A provider enrollment specialist is a non-phone work-from-home job that involves researching, reviewing, analyzing, and managing provider enrollment applications to ensure they are in compliance with guidelines.
Provider enrollment specialists usually require prior experience in medical terminology, appeals, claims, or customer service, and may also require an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
36. Survey Taker
By completing surveys, survey takers are able to share their opinion and help inform companies and brands on how to provide better products and services that meet customer needs and expectations.
Benefits of working as a survey taker from home include the flexibility of being able to work at your own pace and the ability to earn extra income while working whenever and wherever you choose.
Additionally, survey takers can take advantage of cash, rewards, and sweepstakes entries as compensation for their time.
It is not a way to get rich, but it is a great way to make extra money on the side.
Here are the top legit survey platforms:
37. Chat and Email Support
Chat and email support workers provide customer support and assistance via email and online chat. They are responsible for responding to customer inquiries and resolving customer issues.
This customer service-oriented position does not require the use of a phone.
Chat and email support workers must be able to answer customer questions and respond to their inquiries quickly and accurately. They must also be able to use active listening skills and type quickly.
Companies often provide chat and email support workers with guidelines for providing customer support, and they may also require workers to understand their products in order to provide effective customer service.
Are non phone work from home jobs legitimate?
The answer is yes! In fact, there is a growing number of non-phone work from home jobs for those who don’t want to be on the phone all day.
Whether you’re a mom with kids and pets running around, or if you find customer service work draining, there are good options out there for you to make money from home without being on the phone.
In conclusion, non-phone work from home jobs are legitimate and provide a great opportunity to make money from home without being on the phone.
FAQs
Ultimately, the skills needed to succeed in non phone work from home jobs will depend on the type of job you are pursuing.
More than likely, you’ll need excellent typing skills, excellent spelling and grammar, and the ability to troubleshoot and solve issues, among other skills.
However, many of the jobs mentioned above pay between $15 an hour to $50 an hour.
Some companies may also offer a base salary plus bonuses or incentives.
Fortunately, there are plenty of non-phone jobs available for remote workers that don’t require a diploma.
However, you may have to take some online courses to excel faster in your field.
Many on this list are great low stress jobs that pay well without a degree.
Yes, there are software or tools needed for non-phone work from home jobs, depending on the type of job.
More than likely, you will need a computer and a reliable internet service.
Are you Excited to Work from Home Job No Phone?
Working from home has become increasingly popular over the years, as it offers flexibility, comfort, and the ability to work from anywhere.
All of these jobs that offer the best comfort and increased focus is working from home on the laptop. The advantages of this job include flexibility in schedules, the ability to remain in control of your own workspace, and enhanced focus as there is less noise and distraction.
With the number of remote job leads that are available, you are sure to find the perfect work from home job that suits your needs.
In addition, working from home gives you the freedom to work in a location of your choice. You no longer have to commute to an office or be bound by office hours.
Also, you can take breaks when you need them and work in a comfortable environment.
Which career choice are you going to look into?
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!
Anne Hathaway’s home in the new Amazon Prime series Modern Love is now up for grabs; the posh 2 bedroom co-op, set in NYC’s historic Astor Memorial School at 256 Mott Street has recently hit the market with a $3.5 million ask.
If you haven’t yet had the chance to check it out, Modern Love is Amazon’s eight-episode anthology series that brings the stories of a beloved New York Times column to life, complete with a star-studded cast and iconic New York backdrops.
Each episode is based on a real person’s essay, with the third in the series being centered on Lexi, an entertainment lawyer played by Anne Hathaway who’s been hiding her bipolar diagnosis from everyone in her life.
This episode leads us into Lexi’s apartment, set in a boutique, self-managed co-op in Tribeca — a fittingly intimate and stylish pad to suit Hathaway’s character story.
Apart from Hathaway, Modern Love also stars Tina Fey, Julia Garner, Catherine Keener, Dev Patel, Andrew Scott, John Slattery and Andy Garcia, among others.
“Since its debut just last week, the reaction to ‘Modern Love’ from viewers has been incredible. It’s a show with so much emotion and warmth — every episode touches the heart in a different way,” said Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios.
And if you’re a big fan of the series and just so happens to be hunting for a home in NYC, you can now buy Hathaway’s apartment — provided that your pockets run $3.5 million deep.
Available for sale for the first time in 15 years, this mint-condition parlor residence features 14 windows, 4 exposures, approximately 1,800 square feet of living space, 2 bedrooms, and 2 bathrooms.
Soaring 11’7” ceiling heights and remarkable original details which have been masterfully restored make this one of the most special homes to ever hit the market in prime Nolita.
The master bathroom is crisp and beautifully appointed with a deep soaking tub, a large walk-in shower, marble mosaic tiling throughout and two large windows.
There is a wall of closets in the master, an antique Italian crystal chandelier, and a door that provides direct access to 256 Mott’s outdoor mews, which can be used by any resident in the building.
To learn more about the property or to schedule a tour, get in touch with the listing’s agents: Compass’ Todd Lewin and Michael Rubin.
More homes from movies and TV shows
All the Glamorous Penthouses, Suites, and Lofts in Gossip Girl The Story Behind Carrie Bradshaw’s Apartment in “Sex and the City” We Are the Ones Who Knock — on Walter White’s Fictional Door in Breaking Bad The Real-Life House from Netflix’s ‘The Stranger’
By Peter Anderson2 Comments – The content of this website often contains affiliate links and I may be compensated if you buy through those links (at no cost to you!). Learn more about how we make money. Last edited December 4, 2017.
This past month or so we’ve been highlighting savings tips for the summer, and we’ve talked about things like saving on food, saving at the movies, saving on summer travel and so much more (see the links below).
Before we end this summer savings series, however, I thought it would be nice to highlight some of the summer savings tips that were submitted by our readers during our contest. There are some good ones here:
Summer Savings Tips From Our Readers
Here are a few of the tips our readers sent in on ways to save money this summer.
Joey – My summer savings tip – Use coupons when buying my groceries. Every little saving makes a difference.
The Happy Rock – Get your air conditioning unit checked and tuned up to help save on energy costs.
otherdeb – Know that bicycle that’s been moldering against your back porch/in your attic/in your garage, etc? Get it out, get it checked over, and start using it for local errands!
Rachel – For a cheap sun burn treatment that won’t require an extra trip to the pharmacy, freeze some of the lotion you already have on hand on a piece of tin foil. Once it’s frozen, it cools and soothes the burn and also moisturizers to ease peeling and blistering. Works great too for those who are allergic to Aloe Vera like me! Source: top10pharma.net
Sam – Turn you thermostat up to 80 and use your ceiling fans or box fans.We also turn off the AC at night and just use our ceiling fans.
finaidgirl – Since we’re moving 1000+ miles with a car and moving truck, I’m concentrating on more gas-friendly driving habits, like driving the speed limit or slower, braking more slowly and steadily, not idling, and paying to tune up the car before the trip to prevent any big issues from happening on the way.
RachaelfromNJ – Sometimes items that you own just need a good cleaning and they will look like brand new. Alot of men don’t realize that their baseball caps can be cleaned, in the dishwasher. Go to any Walmart, Target, Footlock, or any store that sells hats and you can get this plastic thing to put the hat in and all you have to do is place it in the dishwasher to clean it. It will make the hat nice and clean and save your man alot of money in buying a new hat everytime it gets dirty!
ThatOneCaveman – Vacation in or near your hometown. There are often a lot of cheap or free ways to entertain yourself – you just have to look for them. We’ll be visiting a few local museums (free entrance + free air conditioning), the zoo, the lake, and a few parks this summer – all for free!
Cindy – I’m saving money in a number of ways this summer. The first way is riding my motorcycle to work every day it’s not raining. I use about half the gas I would in my small car. Some of my co-workers, who live closer than I do, are riding thier bikes to work. That’s free and they’re getting excercise to boot, a double benefit.
Diana Corlett – Combine going green with economizing. Be inventive…come up with new ways to use and re-use. Repair what you have instead of throwing it away and buying new. Make a hobby out of garage sales…you never know what treasure you might find.
Christin – Dry your laundry on a rack outside. This saves $$ and your clothes will last longer too!
Mercedes – This summer I have decided to quit driving my kids around for activities and stay local. I have been lucky to have found things to do in the small town that I live. So far I love this simple summer life. I am kicking back and enjoying the nice weather without a hectic lifestyle.
Melinda – Continue to start our summer vacation (December here) 2 weeks before summer school holidays officially begin. No crowds at the amusement parks, lower airfares & greater discounts on accommodation
Morgan – Go on a long walk with your significant other on a nice summer evening. This is a great way to get exercise, communicate, and not spend money.
Bunny – Use ceiling fans instead of AC. Dry your laundry outside under the sun. Go to the parks for nice family outings.
EL – My summer savings tip is to use the community pool, if you have one. It’s a great, cheap outing for hot days, great exercise, and keeps you from using the air conditioner.
Lauren – I’ve planted a vegetable garden to help save money at the grocery store, not only for the summer, but into the fall and winter months as well thanks to the joy that is freezing and canning!
CelticBuffy – 1)Keep the ceiling fans going to make the house feel cooler. 2)Close the curtains on sun-facing windows to cut down on the amount of heat coming into the house 3) Grill out or eat “cool” evening meals as using the oven can really heat up the house.
Mrs.Micah – My tip is to try wearing as little as possible indoors to help keep the need for a/c down. We didn’t turn ours on until mid-June when a heat wave hit DC and I found this a useful part. Of course, if you have kids what you can get away with is probably warmer than what you can if you don’t have kids. And it requires shutting the blinds/curtains, but that’s probably a good idea anyway for reducing heat in the house.
Donna V -My husband and I have been trying to save money on our date nights this summer. We love going to the movie theater and have saved money by going on Saturday before noon when tickets are $4-5 depending on the theater.
Shawna – My tip – hang dark colored sheets/blankets over your windows to prevent the sun from coming in and warming it up too much inside (and prevent the AC from running too much). I take push pins and put one on each side of the window at the top, then I take binder clips and put one on each side of the blanket and hang them that way so that it is easy to take them down. The setting sun really heats up some of my rooms and I do this with success.
Christopher – Go out and have a family day. Go to the zoo, the park, the beach, or another inexpensive place. Pack a picnic lunch to avoid the overpriced concession stands. Play games like volley ball or baseball, build a sand castle, or ride the swings.
So there you have it! Submit your own tips in the comments below!
Money Saving Posts From The Summer Savings Series
Have your own tips? Leave a comment with your tip, or a link to your own post!
Ask Metafilter is one of my favorite sites on the internet; I’ve been an active member there for years. It’s a great place to get advice on many subjects, including money. And careers. Recently a user named Entropic asked a question about “finding your passion”, which received an awesome reply from my pal Grumblebee. Here, with permission (and a tiny bit of editing), is that Ask Metafilter exchange.
Entropic How did you find your passion?
How have you figured out what your passion(s) is/are in life, and how have you translated that into a successful career involving your passion(s)? I am intentionally not including details about myself and my situation because I don’t really want specific suggestions about what might be good career directions for myself or what interesting areas I might pursue. I’m looking more for concrete examples of what steps you’ve taken to find out what drives you, and how you were able to make a career out of that.
Grumblebee Is there a difference between “discover your passion” and “discover what you want to do”?
I ask because I hear people talk about their Passion (with a capital P), as if everyone has one whether they know it or not. As if it’s a special glowing ball inside each of us. Yet I see no evidence that this ball necessarily exists.
Defining passion To me, it’s more likely that we have things we like and things we dislike. A like becomes a passion when it repeats with regularity. For instance, I like peaches, but I don’t constantly crave them. So I wouldn’t call peaches a passion. On the other hand, whenever I see a book, I want to read it. I like reading… I like reading… I like reading… So I’d call reading a passion.
Is there anything like this for you, even if it’s something “stupid” (e.g. watching TV or eating poptarts)? If so, that’s a passion for you. If it repeats with great rapidity (and if the urge is very strong), then it’s an obsession. (I can’t keep my hands off my iPod. I think about it all the time. If I lose it, I panic.)
You don’t get to choose your passions. Since passions are just intense likings, choosing a passion would be like choosing to like eating eggplant. You either like eating eggplant or you don’t. Perhaps, if you don’t like it, you can learn to like it. But right now, you either like it or you don’t.
Finding and feeding passion I’ve met some people who don’t seem to have any strong passions. Some admit to this. They certainly have likes and dislikes, but nothing specific crops up over and over. In fact, some people dislike anything that repeats too often (you could say such people have a passion for novelty). Other people do have passions (defined as I’ve done so, above), but they don’t think of them as such. For many people, their passion is other people: passion for their kids, passion for their families, passion for helping others in need, etc….
Many people think they’ve discovered a passion when if fact they’ve only found a surface activity that lays atop their real passion. For instance, I love working in the theatre. At the risk of sounding holier-than-thou, I believe my passion is pretty “pure.” In other words, my passion for theatre doesn’t hide a deeper passion. I love theatre because I’m fascinated by the specific mechanics of telling stories on stage. When I’m not rehearsing a play, I will choose to read a book about theatre mechanics just for fun (for another dose of my obsession).
I’ve met others like me, but I meet far more theatre people who seem to be using theatre to feed some deeper passion. (Please note that I’m not saying that there’s anything wrong with this or that I’m better than these people. I believe neither of those things. And there are plenty of other activities — just not theatre — that I use as tools to feed deeper passions.)
Such people may be into theatre because they love attention and praise; they may love belonging to an open-minded group (many “misfits” find their way into theatre in high school and stay because they love belonging to such an accepting culture); they may even be operating on autopilot, doing theatre because for whatever reason, they got into it when they were younger and it never occurs to them to quit. (They probably enjoy having mastered something.)
Digging deeper I think it’s useful to delve into your psychology and ask yourself why you like what you like. Sometimes (as with me and theatre), the answer might be “because I simply love the activity.”
How do you know if this is true? Try mentally removing orbiting aspects of the activity: Would I still want to direct plays if no one saw them? Would I still want to direct plays if I could only work with bad actors? Would I still want to direct plays if I hated the results? Would I still want to direct plays if I always got bad reviews? etc. For me, though I wouldn’t enjoy the activity as much in these cases, I’d still want to do it.
This is useful because if you learn what your true passion is (the underlying one, if there is one), you may be able to change your life for the better. You may be able to say, “Wow! It’s not theatre I like, it’s collaboration! Maybe I instead of continuing in theatre, I should look into all sorts of collaborative activities and get into the one that’s the most collaborative.”
Such psychological delving may also help you deal with a crisis: “Oh no! I’ve lost my voice. I can’t act anymore. Wait a minute: it’s not specifically theatre that I like, it’s storytelling! I could write a novel.”
There’s also nothing wrong (and a lot right) with realizing, “I love attention and praise, so theatre is a great activity for me.” In all of these cases, you’ll have learned something about yourself.
Turning passion into a career Once you know your passion, you will be tempted to ask — as you did — “How can I turn this into a career?” I think that’s the wrong question. I don’t think it’s totally wrong. I just think it’s too specific. Instead, I recommend you ask yourself this: “How can I best arrange my life so that I can spend the most time engaging in my passionin its purest possible form and derive the least amount of pain doing non-passion activities?”
I am a director, but I’m not a working (as in “paid”) director. To pay my rent, I have a “day job.” I could work as a director, but I’d have to direct plays that I don’t want to direct. For some people, that would be fine. For me, it’s not a good trade off. I’ll be more happy with the day job and the ability to direct whatever I want — forgoing pay. It took me a while to come up with that “formula,” and it’s a personal one. Mine won’t necessarily work for you.
(If you realize you’re like me, find the least painful day job you can, getting yourself training if you have to. I actually like my day job. And I continually work to make it better and more interesting. The cliché of waiting tables to support your passion isn’t a necessity. If you commit to the idea of having a day job — I’ll likely have one for the rest of my life — it behooves you to make it a good one. Or at least the least painful one you can find.)
I see a lot of people working really hard to make their passion into a job, and — tragically — when they finally make it happen, they don’t enjoy the passion any more. (E.g. a lot of working actors, who got into the business to play Shakespeare or Chekhov, spend most of their time acting in commercials.) If this happens, it’s really worthwhile to do some soul searching. Would I be happier with a day job? Am I happy doing a compromised version of my passion? If I am happy doing a compromised version of my passion, does that (perhaps) mean that what I thought was my passion wasn’t really my passion? (“Hmm. I thought I wanted to act, but in order to do theatre for a living, I’ve had to become a producer. And — hey — I like it. Maybe acting isn’t my real passion. Maybe my real passion is being a key part of a big project.”)
I am not saying there’s anything wrong with figuring out a way to do your passion for pay. Often, that’s a great way to spend most of your time doing your passion. Just make sure that if you’re doing your passion as a job, it’s really your passion that you’re doing and not a perverted version of it that will fail to make you happy.
Putting it all together So, go through this thought process:
I’ve identified my passion as X. I am now going to define X as fully as possible. For X to be X, it MUST include A and B. C is optional. It can’t include D.
I’ve realized that I won’t be happy unless I’m doing X for a living.
Are there any jobs that will allow me to do X as I’ve defined it? (Or that will let me gradually work towards a pure version of X?)
If not, then I need to either brainstorm other ways I could be happy (compromised X? doing X as a hobby?) or resign myself to unhappiness.
If so, then I need to make sure that I can live with non-X aspects of the job. (Wow! I can do full time, paid theatre, but I’d have to work with the dreaded Mr. Y!)
Finally: I’ve noticed that people (myself included) have a strong urge to classify themselves. People really want to be able to say, “I’m a director!” “I’m an engineer!” “My passion is gourmet cooking!”
There’s nothing wrong with that drive, but putting yourself in a category is not the same thing as actually being in that category. In fact, categorizing yourself — since it’s so final — is a good way to thwart any attempt to discover your actual passions. Once you say, “I’m a director,” it’s hard to think, “Wait a minute: is it actually directing that I like or some other activity that directing helps me achieve?” Which is why, at the start of this long post, I suggested you de-romanticize the whole thing and, instead, think about what you like and dislike, rather than trying to pin down your Passion.
Maybe you don’t have a Passion. Maybe you have many likes:
You like playing in the sun
You like watching movies
You like hanging out with friends
If so, you’ll be much happier if you arrange your life to maximize your chances to do these activities than if you expend a ton of energy categorizing yourself.
I am fortunate to have been able to turn my passion — writing — into a career. But even so, some of what Grumblebee warns against is certainly present. As much as I love to write, I have a very different relationship to it now that it’s my job than I did when I simply did it for fun.