On average, it costs $23,890 a year to attend an out-of-state school versus $9,410 for an in-state school. That’s $14,480 more per year you could pay — just to attend a college in a different state than where you grew up.
Source: Giphy.com
Over four years, you could end up paying $60,000 more than someone who attends school in-state. So, what are some ways you can lower the cost of out-of-state tuition? Here are seven of our biggest tips.
What’s Ahead:
1. Research Regional Reciprocity Programs
Many schools have “regional reciprocity agreements” or “tuition exchange programs” that let you attend certain out-of-state colleges for in-state rates.
For instance, 18 colleges in Georgia offer in-state tuition to residents of border states. This includes Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida.
On a much broader scale, several states have banded together to create regional reciprocity programs that give you reduced out-of-state tuition at hundreds of public and private schools.
The four biggest regional reciprocity programs include:
Midwest Student Exchange — Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.
The New England Regional Student Program — Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Academic Common Market — Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Western Undergraduate Exchange — Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Some schools will offer in-state tuition to any student in a neighboring state, while others may require you to meet certain criteria — such as having a specific high school GPA or declaring a certain major.
MU30 Tip: Already have a few colleges in mind? Look on their websites or contact financial aid to see if they have any tuition exchange or reciprocity programs in place.
2. See If You Qualify for a Tuition Waiver
In some cases, you may be able to get a tuition waiver that allows you to attend an out-of-state college at a reduced rate. Tuition waivers are usually granted to students with special circumstances:
You (or someone in your immediate family) is a veteran or active duty military member.
You were valedictorian or a high achiever.
You’re enrolled in a special degree program, such as STEM or health care.
You work for the school you wish to attend.
You were or are a part of the foster care system.
You’re a nontraditional student.
You’re of Native American heritage.
You have a financial hardship.
To see if you qualify, search for the phrase “tuition waiver” on your favorite schools’ websites. This should pull up a list of all the tuition waivers currently available. (For example, I found 13 waivers on the University of Washington’s website.)
3. Apply for Out-of-State Scholarships
There are several scholarships specifically for students who are attending college out-of-state. These scholarships can help you cover the costs of tuition, room and board, and other expenses.
To find out-of-state scholarships, start by checking with your college’s financial aid office. There’s a good chance the school has scholarships earmarked for nonresidents.
From there, do a scholarship search using a tool like the College Board Scholarship Search or Fastweb. You may find some private scholarships to help lower your out-of-pocket costs.
Read more: Scholarships and Grants: How To Score Free Money for College
MU30 Tip: Does your parent or guardian work in higher education at one of these Tuition Exchange member schools? If so, you can apply for a reciprocal scholarship that lets you attend hundreds of schools in the U.S., Canada, Greece, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, and Switzerland at a free or reduced rate!
4. Think About Becoming a Resident Assistant
If you’re planning on attending college out-of-state, one way to lower your costs is to become a resident assistant (RA). RAs typically receive free or reduced-cost housing in exchange for their duties, which can include things like leading tours and organizing social events.
So while you may not get a tuition discount, it could help you save on housing while you’re there.
To become an RA, start by talking to your college’s housing office. They should be able to tell you about any open RA positions and their requirements. You may also need to fill out an application and go through an interview process.
5. Negotiate Out-of-State Tuition With the Financial Aid Office
It’s not widely advertised, but you can technically negotiate the cost of tuition and fees with the financial aid office. In fact, doing so could save you anywhere from 5% to 15%. On a four-year degree that costs $60,000, that’s a savings of $3,000 to $9,000.
Beyond negotiating, the financial aid office is also a way to find out what types of aid are available to you as an out-of-state student.
Read more:
6. Become an In-State Resident
This tip may seem a little far-fetched, but hear me out. If you’re taking a gap year, for instance, and have time to establish residency in the state where you want to attend college, it could be worth it.
Every state has different requirements for residency, but you’ll typically need to live there for at least a year before you can apply for in-state status.
Start by researching the requirements for the state you want to move to, then get working on completing them. This could include getting a job or an apartment in the state, getting a driver’s license, and more.
7. Look for Schools With Lower Out-of-State Tuition Rates
If all else fails and there’s no way for you to get reduced out-of-state tuition, another option is to simply look for schools that charge lower rates for out-of-state students.
MU30 Tip: Want to see which colleges have the lowest tuition rates? Check out this affordability calculator from the U.S. Department of Education.
Once you have out-of-state tuition rates for different colleges, you can start to compare your options and make a decision about which school is the best fit for you.
Read more: Not Enough Financial Aid? Here are 10 Ways To Pay for College
Bottom Line
Out-of-state tuition can be costly, but there are ways to minimize costs without racking up a ton of student loan debt. Use these tips to see how much you can save.
Featured image: Alexander Lukatskiy/Shutterstock.com
On average, it costs $23,890 a year to attend an out-of-state school versus $9,410 for an in-state school. That’s $14,480 more per year you could pay — just to attend a college in a different state than where you grew up.
Source: Giphy.com
Over four years, you could end up paying $60,000 more than someone who attends school in-state. So, what are some ways you can lower the cost of out-of-state tuition? Here are seven of our biggest tips.
What’s Ahead:
1. Research Regional Reciprocity Programs
Many schools have “regional reciprocity agreements” or “tuition exchange programs” that let you attend certain out-of-state colleges for in-state rates.
For instance, 18 colleges in Georgia offer in-state tuition to residents of border states. This includes Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida.
On a much broader scale, several states have banded together to create regional reciprocity programs that give you reduced out-of-state tuition at hundreds of public and private schools.
The four biggest regional reciprocity programs include:
Midwest Student Exchange — Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.
The New England Regional Student Program — Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Academic Common Market — Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Western Undergraduate Exchange — Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Some schools will offer in-state tuition to any student in a neighboring state, while others may require you to meet certain criteria — such as having a specific high school GPA or declaring a certain major.
MU30 Tip: Already have a few colleges in mind? Look on their websites or contact financial aid to see if they have any tuition exchange or reciprocity programs in place.
2. See If You Qualify for a Tuition Waiver
In some cases, you may be able to get a tuition waiver that allows you to attend an out-of-state college at a reduced rate. Tuition waivers are usually granted to students with special circumstances:
You (or someone in your immediate family) is a veteran or active duty military member.
You were valedictorian or a high achiever.
You’re enrolled in a special degree program, such as STEM or health care.
You work for the school you wish to attend.
You were or are a part of the foster care system.
You’re a nontraditional student.
You’re of Native American heritage.
You have a financial hardship.
To see if you qualify, search for the phrase “tuition waiver” on your favorite schools’ websites. This should pull up a list of all the tuition waivers currently available. (For example, I found 13 waivers on the University of Washington’s website.)
3. Apply for Out-of-State Scholarships
There are several scholarships specifically for students who are attending college out-of-state. These scholarships can help you cover the costs of tuition, room and board, and other expenses.
To find out-of-state scholarships, start by checking with your college’s financial aid office. There’s a good chance the school has scholarships earmarked for nonresidents.
From there, do a scholarship search using a tool like the College Board Scholarship Search or Fastweb. You may find some private scholarships to help lower your out-of-pocket costs.
Read more: Scholarships and Grants: How To Score Free Money for College
MU30 Tip: Does your parent or guardian work in higher education at one of these Tuition Exchange member schools? If so, you can apply for a reciprocal scholarship that lets you attend hundreds of schools in the U.S., Canada, Greece, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, and Switzerland at a free or reduced rate!
4. Think About Becoming a Resident Assistant
If you’re planning on attending college out-of-state, one way to lower your costs is to become a resident assistant (RA). RAs typically receive free or reduced-cost housing in exchange for their duties, which can include things like leading tours and organizing social events.
So while you may not get a tuition discount, it could help you save on housing while you’re there.
To become an RA, start by talking to your college’s housing office. They should be able to tell you about any open RA positions and their requirements. You may also need to fill out an application and go through an interview process.
5. Negotiate Out-of-State Tuition With the Financial Aid Office
It’s not widely advertised, but you can technically negotiate the cost of tuition and fees with the financial aid office. In fact, doing so could save you anywhere from 5% to 15%. On a four-year degree that costs $60,000, that’s a savings of $3,000 to $9,000.
Beyond negotiating, the financial aid office is also a way to find out what types of aid are available to you as an out-of-state student.
Read more:
6. Become an In-State Resident
This tip may seem a little far-fetched, but hear me out. If you’re taking a gap year, for instance, and have time to establish residency in the state where you want to attend college, it could be worth it.
Every state has different requirements for residency, but you’ll typically need to live there for at least a year before you can apply for in-state status.
Start by researching the requirements for the state you want to move to, then get working on completing them. This could include getting a job or an apartment in the state, getting a driver’s license, and more.
7. Look for Schools With Lower Out-of-State Tuition Rates
If all else fails and there’s no way for you to get reduced out-of-state tuition, another option is to simply look for schools that charge lower rates for out-of-state students.
MU30 Tip: Want to see which colleges have the lowest tuition rates? Check out this affordability calculator from the U.S. Department of Education.
Once you have out-of-state tuition rates for different colleges, you can start to compare your options and make a decision about which school is the best fit for you.
Read more: Not Enough Financial Aid? Here are 10 Ways To Pay for College
Bottom Line
Out-of-state tuition can be costly, but there are ways to minimize costs without racking up a ton of student loan debt. Use these tips to see how much you can save.
Featured image: Alexander Lukatskiy/Shutterstock.com
Inside: This guide provides tips on frugal home must haves, so you can save money and live responsibly, while also enjoying a healthy environment and good health.
Are you looking for ways to save money and still have a clean and organized home?
If so, you are in the right place. In this blog post, I am going to share with you frugal home must haves that will help you save money.
But before we get started, let me ask you a question:
Do you ever feel like your home is a never-ending cycle of cleaning and organizing? That you use products that are for one use only and know there are better products out there.
If so, you are not alone. Most people feel this way at some point in their lives.
The good news is that there are ways to save money and start to incorporate bits and pieces of a frugal lifestyle into your life.
So, without further ado, here are 19 frugal home must-haves to help you save money:
What is frugality?
Frugality is the practice of being very intentional with your spending, prioritizing the things that matter the most to you, and cutting back on spending in other areas.
It doesn’t necessarily mean sacrificing your favorite brand of cereal, living without napkins, or giving up on adventurous vacations. Instead, frugality is about making smart money choices and learning to live below your means.
It is not the same as being cheap, which involves saving money at the expense of others.
Rather, being frugal means being economical with your money, making it stretch further so you can do more with less.
Frugal living is a journey, not a destination, and it starts with creating a budget that you can live with and looking for ways to save money.
What are the most frugal must-haves for a home?
The most important frugal must haves for you are those that save you money and time.
As such, what you value the most will differ from me. However, there are some basic underlying frugal items that every house needs. So, we will cover those bloew.
More importantly, more individuals are looking to become frugal green to save the environment as well as money.
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.
best frugal home must-haves for saving money
Home is where the heart is, and we want our homes to be clean, organized, and comfortable without spending a fortune.
However, sometimes it can be tough to keep up with everything – especially on a budget.
Here are 19 frugal home must-haves that will help you save money and make your life easier!
1. Microfiber Cloths
Microfiber cloths are a frugal home must-have for saving money. Yep, I drive my mother-in-law crazy because I do not use paper towels.
They are cost-effective as compared to disposable cleaning supplies and can be used for various cleaning tasks around the house. They are more effective than cotton cloths as they rarely leave smears and dry as they wipe.
Plus, microfiber cloths can be color-coded for different cleaning tasks. To ensure their effectiveness and longevity, microfiber cloths should be washed separately from other laundry and should not be washed with fabric softeners or bleach.
2. Drying Rack
Owning a drying rack can be a smart investment for those looking to save money and energy in the long run. There are many types of drying racks available, from outdoor rotary clotheslines to indoor airers.
Personally, we use our drying rack ALL.THE.TIME!
Plus, using a drying rack is an eco-friendly alternative to using a dryer, which can reduce your carbon footprint and help you live a more sustainable lifestyle.
This is the drying rack we personally own and love.
3. Instant Pot or Crock Pot
Move over crockpot, the Instant Pot is the hottest trend to stay! I’ll admit I was hesitant about owning an instant pot, but have decided it was well worth the investment for our frugal home.
An instant pot is a frugal must-have for any home looking to save money while still enjoying delicious meals. It is perfect for busy people who want to come home to a warm meal without the hassle of cooking.
Instant pots are not just about cooking one meal; they are perfect for batch-cooking frugal meals. This allows you to cook multiple meals in one go, freezing the extra for another day.
You can also use cheaper cuts of meat and tenderize them in the instant pot. Some examples of meals that can be made in a crock pot include soups, stews, chilis, and even whole chicken for homemade stock.
An instant pot is an efficient and cost-effective way to enjoy home-cooked meals without breaking the bank.
Here is the instant pot / air fryer combe we personally own.
4. Reusable Grocery Bags
Many states, including ours, now charge 10 cents per bag when checking out at any store!
By bringing your own bags, you can avoid the extra fees charged for plastic bags at many stores.
Additionally, reusable bags are sturdier and can hold more items, reducing the need for multiple bags.
Switching to reusable bags also helps reduce plastic waste, which is harmful to the environment. So, invest in some reusable bags and make a positive impact on your wallet and the planet.
5. Beeswax Wraps
Beeswax wraps are a fantastic frugal and eco-friendly alternative to plastic wraps.
Made from organic cotton and covered in beeswax, they are versatile and come in various sizes. They can replace both cling film and foil, lasting for a long time as long as they are not washed in hot water or put in the microwave.
These wraps can save money in the long run as they are reusable and can be used for a variety of purposes, from wrapping bread to covering bowls.
To care for them, wash them in cool soapy water and avoid hot water or the microwave. With beeswax wraps, you can be frugal and eco-friendly at the same time!
6. Charging Stations To Reduce Energy
Standby losses refer to the energy consumed by electronic devices even when they are turned off but still plugged in. For instance, a TV on standby mode, a phone charger left plugged in, or a coffee maker are all examples of appliances that contribute to standby losses.
These losses can significantly impact your energy bill and add up over time.
However, there are practical ways to reduce standby losses and save money.
Use an energy-efficient power strip to plug in multiple devices and switch them off in one go.
Invest in a “smart” power strip that automatically turns off devices when they are not in use.
By taking these steps, you can reduce standby losses and save money on your energy bills.
7. Glass Jars
Glass jars are incredibly versatile and can be used for storing everything.
Using glass jars is also cost-effective since they can be reused over and over again.
With their airtight seals, they are perfect for storing food items, and their clear glass makes it easy to see what’s inside. They are also great for organizing small items like pens, hair bands, and cut flowers.
Overall, using glass jars is an easy way to save money while keeping your home clean and organized.
8. Hot Tea Maker Electric Glass Kettle
This is the updated version of the traditional teapot due to its durability, versatility, and cost-effectiveness.
It can be used to make a large amount of tea at once, making it perfect for entertaining guests or for daily use.
Additionally, it is a one-time investment that can last for years, which saves money in the long run.
Also, by using loose tea leaves instead of tea bags, you can also save money and reduce waste.
9. Coffee Pot
If you’re a coffee lover, you know how quickly buying coffee on a daily basis can add up and become a significant expense.
However, there is a simple solution to this problem – investing in a coffee pot you love.
By brewing your coffee at home, you can save several dollars each week, which can add up to a considerable amount over time.
Moreover, if you’re someone who enjoys lattes, there are coffee pots available that can make lattes at home. This means that you don’t have to spend a fortune on lattes from coffee shops or cafes.
With a good coffee maker, you can enjoy the great taste of coffee at home while saving money.
If you invest in a single-use coffee maker, then make sure you are using reusable K-cups.
10. Laundry Bags
Seriously, this was the greatest idea I found out from a baseball mom. Never worry about mixing up clothes between family members again!
By using laundry bags, you prevent clothes from getting lost or mixed up in the wash, and can also help prolong the life of delicate fabrics.
To care for your laundry bags, simply toss them in the washing machine with your laundry and air dry.
11. Baking Soda
Baking soda is a frugal home must-have that can be used for cleaning and organizing your home in many ways.
It is a multipurpose cleaner and deodorizer that can be used to clean surfaces, carpets, laundry, even fruits and vegetables.
By mixing baking soda with water, you can create a paste that can be used to clean almost everything. It can also be used to deodorize your refrigerator, carpets, and shoes. Additionally, you can sprinkle baking soda on your mattress and vacuum it up to remove odors.
Overall, baking soda is a versatile and inexpensive household item that can help you keep your home clean and fresh.
12. Vinegar
Vinegar is an incredibly versatile and cost-effective must-have for any frugal home. It can be used for cleaning and organizing in a variety of ways.
Vinegar is effective in removing stains, cleaning surfaces, and freshening up the home. It is also safe to use around children and pets, making it a great alternative to harsh chemical cleaners.
For cleaning surfaces, vinegar can be mixed with water and used to clean windows, mirrors, and countertops. It can also be used to remove stains from carpets and clothing. In addition, vinegar can be used to freshen up the home by adding a few drops to a diffuser or spraying it in the air.
To incorporate vinegar into daily cleaning routines, it can be added to a spray bottle with water and used to clean surfaces as needed. It can also be used as a natural fabric softener in the laundry by adding a cup to the rinse cycle.
When using vinegar, it should not be used on certain surfaces such as marble or granite as it can cause damage.
13. Reusable Water Bottles
Using reusable water bottles is an important step towards a more frugal and eco-friendly lifestyle.
It can save money by eliminating the need to buy single-use plastic water bottles, and it also helps reduce waste and pollution.
When choosing a reusable water bottle, look for one with a filter to ensure fresh water anytime, anywhere.
Opt for bottles made from durable and non-toxic materials such as stainless steel or glass.
Keeping a reusable water bottle also promotes healthy hydration habits.
14. A Large Freezer
A large freezer in your home is a frugal must-have for many reasons.
Not only does it provide money-saving opportunities by allowing you to stockpile food on a budget and freeze extra portions from batch cooking, but it also helps you take advantage of great deals you find at the store.
With a well-stocked freezer, you can shop your stock first and freeze nearly everything you buy for later use.
Additionally, having a large freezer can help you save on your electricity bill by allowing you to fill it up to two-thirds capacity, which makes it more efficient.
Also, you may want to purchase this freezer lock to make sure it stays closed.
15. Reusable Food Storage Containers
Using reusable food storage containers like BPA-free plastic or glass containers is an effective way to reduce waste and promote eco-friendly living.
BPA-free plastic containers are ideal for those who have limited space for storage and prefer lightweight and durable containers. They are freezer, microwave, and steamer safe, making them perfect for storing and reheating various types of food.
On the other hand, glass containers are an excellent alternative to plastic containers. They are incredibly environmentally friendly and can be reused over and over again, making them an indispensable tool in your quest for simple and frugal home living.
Since they are also reusable, saving you money in the long run. You only need a few of them for your daily use.
16. Reusable Food Bags
Reusable food bags are a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and be more eco-friendly in your daily life. These bags are made from BPA-free materials and are designed to be used over and over again, making them a great alternative to single-use plastic bags.
Here are the benefits of reusable food bags:
Versatile and can be used for a variety of purposes as they are freezer, microwave, and steamer safe, making them perfect for storing, heating, and cooking food.
Perfect for packing lunches and snacks, as they are lightweight and easy to carry.
Durable and long-lasting.
Ability to use them again and again, reducing the amount of waste that you produce.
Unlike plastic bags, which can easily tear or break, these bags are made from sturdy materials that can withstand daily use.
While the initial cost of these bags may be higher than that of plastic bags, they will pay for themselves over time as you won’t have to keep buying new bags. Plus, they are often sold in sets, so you can get multiple bags for a lower price.
17. Basic Toolkit for DIY Projects
A basic toolkit can be a valuable asset for homeowners as it can come in handy for simple home repairs and save money on professional services.
With the right tools and some DIY know-how, you can tackle many basic home repairs and maintenance tasks yourself, without having to hire a professional.
DIY tutorials are available online, and many of them are free. You can also attend community classes or evening courses at local colleges to learn DIY skills.
Also, you can look at sharing tools with neighbors or friends can help you save money and build a sense of community.
18. Storage Organization
Oh my goodness, there is no way I could manage without serious storage organization for our small house.
Thankfully, there are plenty of storage organization options to make sure you use optimal space in every single corner of your house.
Here are some of my favorite storage organization tricks:
19. Rotary Clothes Line
Owning a rotary clothesline is a must-have for frugal homeowners.
Not only is it a one-time cost that lasts for years, but it also helps save money on electricity bills as line drying reduces creases and eliminates the need for a dryer.
Additionally, a rotary clothesline takes up less space than a bulky dryer or indoor drying rack.
By using a rotary clothesline, you can enjoy the benefits of fresh, sun-dried laundry while saving money and space. It’s a win-win situation for both your wallet and your home.
20. Essential Oils
Essential oils can be used in a variety of ways, including for homemade beauty and cleaning products. For example, adding 15 drops of peppermint essential oil to a cup of baking soda can create a refreshing and invigorating scrub.
Essential oils can also be added to homemade shampoo and body wash recipes to provide a pleasant scent and potential therapeutic benefits. Some popular essential oils for these purposes include rosemary, lavender, and peppermint.
In addition to beauty and cleaning products, essential oils can also be used for aromatherapy purposes. Simply adding a few drops of essential oil to a diffuser or inhaling the scent directly can provide benefits such as stress relief and relaxation.
It’s important to note that essential oils should always be used with caution and according to their recommended guidelines, as they can be potent and may cause adverse reactions if not used correctly.
21. Rain Collector
Using a rain collector to water your vegetable garden is a great way to be eco-friendly and frugal at the same time.
This method can help you save money on your water bill and reduce your carbon footprint.
Rain collectors can be purchased for as little as $50 and provide a regular supply of free water throughout the year.
To use a rain collector for your vegetable garden, set it up in a location that is convenient for you to access and close to your garden. When it rains, the water will collect in the butt and be ready for use when you need it. You can use a watering can or attach a hose to the butt for easy watering.
Rainwater is especially good for watering vegetables because it is free of chemicals and additives that may be present in tap water.
22. Countertop Composter
A countertop composter is a great addition to a frugal home. It is a small, portable compost bin that can be kept on your kitchen counter, making it easy to compost food scraps and other organic waste.
By composting your food scraps, you can reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfills, which is not only good for the environment but also saves you money on garbage bags and waste disposal fees.
Countertop composters are available in various sizes and styles, so you can choose one that fits your needs and budget.
Some countertop composters are made of stainless steel or ceramic and have a sleek, modern look that blends in with your kitchen decor.
Others are made of plastic and have a more utilitarian design.
In addition to reducing waste and saving money, composting also produces nutrient-rich soil that can be used to fertilize your garden or houseplants. This can save you money on buying fertilizers and improve the health and productivity of your plants.
23. Knife Set
Having a good knife set is essential in a frugal home because it saves money in the long run. Yes, I have proof of this as I replace my 15-year-old knife under warranty.
Investing in an affordable yet durable set can be achieved by choosing stainless steel or high-carbon steel, which are both rust-resistant and long-lasting.
When choosing a set, consider the number of pieces you need and the type of knives required for your cooking needs.
To make your tools last longer, hand wash and dry them immediately after use, avoid using abrasive cleaners, and store them in a knife block or a drawer with dividers to prevent damage.
But, to be honest, these are the knife set I own and I put them in the dishwasher all the time.
24. Streaming Stick
If you haven’t upgraded to a smart TV yet, I understand you are frugal. Then, you need to invest in a streaming stick.
This simple device can help you lower your costs spent on cable while still streaming your favorite shows on Paramount, Hulu or YouTube.
Nowadays, you can expect to spend less than $50.
25. Soda Maker
This may seem like a splurge, but we, frugal people need a way to treat ourselves.
Having your own soda maker can be a great way to save money in the long run. While it may seem like an expensive investment at first, the cost of making your own soda (or seltzer) at home is significantly lower than constantly purchasing soda (or seltzer) from the store.
In fact, making soda at home can cost as little as 25 cents per liter, compared to the average cost of $1.50 per liter for store-bought soda.
Another cost-saving benefit of having your own soda maker is that you can control the ingredients. You can choose to make your soda with natural sweeteners like honey or stevia, rather than high fructose corn syrup, which is commonly found in store-bought soda. This not only saves you money in the long run, but it can also be a healthier option.
What are some good tips for living frugally?
Living frugally can be a great way to save money and achieve financial goals.
Here are some practical tips for living frugally that you can implement in your daily life:
Meal planning and home cooking can save money on food expenses. Brown bagging or oven lunch boxing your lunch is also a great way to save money. Learn how to be frugal with food.
Wash your laundry in cold water and use natural homemade cleaners to save on household expenses.
Create a budget that you can live with and look for areas where you can cut back on expenses. Pack your own lunch and cut back on entertainment costs.
Travel frugally by traveling during the off-season and cutting down on eating out. Opt for a place with a kitchen so you can make some of your own meals and purchase discounted airline tickets or fares.
Have fun for free by doing activities such as going to the park, having a picnic, or having a bonfire. There are so many things to do with no money.
Try out a few frugal living tips at a time to find out which works best for you and don’t forget to access free courses and worksheets to help with your frugal living journey.
Remember, frugal living doesn’t have to be a sacrifice and can actually help you fully enjoy what you care about in life.
Start taking small steps towards a more frugal lifestyle and see how it can positively impact your finances.
FAQ
There are many frugal home hacks that can help you save money and keep your home clean and organized.
Some practical and actionable tips include meal planning, home cooking, brown bagging your lunch, washing your laundry in cold water, and using natural homemade cleaners.
Before calling a handyman, consult YouTube to learn how to fix a leaky faucet or remodel your bathroom.
Examining your monthly bills for ways to save on electricity, water, cable, and even your cell phone can also help you save money.
By implementing these frugal hacks, you can make every penny and dollar count and stretch your budget further.
I always tell people to shop their own house first. Just because you don’t know where something is doesn’t mean you should go out and buy a new item.
Look around and see how you can reuse items.
Before heading out to the grocery store, look at your own pantry and freezer to see what you can use first.
Give these tips a try and see how much you can save!
Essential appliances and gadgets for a frugal, clean, and organized home include:
Which Frugal Home Ideas Will You Implement?
With a little bit of planning and effort, you can live frugally and still have a beautiful home.
One of the key points of frugality is buying quality items less often.
Too many times, people associate being frugal with cheap.
Being frugal means you are intentional with your spending on household items and prioritizing the things that matter most.
Plus, using frugal methods can be better for the environment and your health.
So what are you waiting for? Go out and buy some of these must-haves today!
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!
Indianapolis can be a great place to live for those who value a vibrant downtown, a big small-town atmosphere, and a four-season climate. However, like any city, Indianapolis has its pros and cons that should be considered before making the decision to move there. Some of the pros of living in Indianapolis include a strong sports culture, easy transportation, and proximity to other major cities. On the other hand, some of the cons of living in Indianapolis include challenging winters, traffic, and a flat landscape. Ultimately, the decision to live in Indianapolis will depend on individual preferences. So, whether you’re looking on Redfin to rent an apartment in Indianapolis or purchase a home in the area, keep reading to see if Indianapolis is the right place for you.
Pros of living in Indianapolis
1. Vibrant downtown
Downtown Indianapolis is home to a variety of attractions, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The area is known for its vibrant nightlife, with numerous bars, clubs, and music venues that cater to a wide range of tastes. Additionally, downtown Indianapolis is home to a number of major sports and event venues, including Lucas Oil Stadium, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and Victory Field. The area also boasts a number of popular tourist attractions, such as the Indianapolis Zoo, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, and the Indiana State Museum.
2. Sports culture
Indianapolis has a rich sports culture and is known for hosting several major sporting events throughout the year. The city is home to professional sports teams such as the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, the NBA’s Indiana Pacers, the WNBAs Indiana Fever, and minor league baseball team the Indianapolis Indians. In addition to these teams, Indianapolis is also known for hosting the world-famous Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway each year. The city is also home to the NCAA headquarters and hosts the NCAA basketball tournament each year, drawing thousands of visitors from all over the country. With such a strong presence in the world of sports, Indianapolis is a great place for sports enthusiasts to call home.
3. Easy transportation
Indianapolis has a fairly well-developed public transportation system, with several options for getting around the city. The city has a bus system, known as IndyGo, which covers most major areas of the city and has over thirty different bus routes. Additionally, Indianapolis has a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, known as the IndyGo Red Line, which runs from Broad Ripple to the University of Indianapolis. With a bike score of 43, Indianapolis has an extensive network of bike lanes and trails throughout the city, making it easy to get around on two wheels. Finally, the city is also easily accessible by car, with several major highways and interstates running through the area.
4. Proximity to other major cities
One of the advantages of living in Indianapolis is its proximity to other major cities in the Midwest. Located in the heart of Indiana, Indianapolis is within easy driving distance of several other major cities, including Chicago, Cincinnati, and Louisville. Chicago is just about a three-hour drive away, Cincinnati is located around two hours south of Indianapolis, and Louisville is around a two hour drive southeast. Being located so close to these other major cities means that Indianapolis residents have easy access to a wide variety of cultural attractions, entertainment venues, and opportunities outside of their own city.
5. Big, small-town vibe
Despite being a major city, Indianapolis maintains a “big, small-town” atmosphere that many residents appreciate. The city is known for its friendly and welcoming community, with a strong sense of Midwestern hospitality. The downtown area is walkable and easy to navigate and many neighborhoods have a cozy, small-town feel. Additionally, the city is known for its tight-knit neighborhoods, with residents often organizing community events and festivals. Some festivals in Indianapolis to check out include the Feast of Lanterns, 500 Festival, and Talbot Street Art Fair.
6. All four seasons
Indianapolis experiences all four seasons, making it an ideal location for those who enjoy a variety of weather conditions throughout the year. In the summer months, temperatures can reach into the 90s F°, with high humidity levels, making it a great time to enjoy water activities. Fall brings cooler temperatures and beautiful foliage, with vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows covering the city’s trees. Winter in Indianapolis can be cold and snowy, with temperatures often dipping below freezing and several inches of snowfall each year lend for perfect winter sports. Finally, spring brings milder temperatures with blossoming flowers and greenery returning to the city’s parks and neighborhoods.
Cons of living in Indianapolis
7. Challenging winters
While Indianapolis experiences all four seasons, the winter months can be particularly challenging for residents. Temperatures often dip below freezing, with wind chills making it feel even colder. Snowfall can be significant, with several inches of accumulation common throughout the season, making driving and walking on sidewalks difficult. Despite these challenges, many residents of Indianapolis embrace the winter months and enjoy outdoor activities such as ice skating, sledding, and skiing.
8. Flat landscape
If you enjoy a varied or hilly landscape , Indianapolis may not be for you. The city is largely flat and lacks natural features of other cities, such as mountains or oceans. Additionally, the city’s architecture is largely utilitarian, with a focus on functionality over aesthetics. While there are certainly beautiful neighborhoods and buildings in Indianapolis, some may find the overall landscape to be less visually interesting than other cities.
9. Lack of outdoor recreational opportunities
While Indianapolis offers a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities, some may find that the city lacks the expansive natural areas found in other cities. The city’s parks are generally smaller and the surrounding area is largely agricultural, with few opportunities for hiking, camping, or rock climbing. However, the city does have several beautiful trails, including the Monon Trail and the Indianapolis Cultural Trail. Additionally, the city is within driving distance of several state and national parks, including the Hoosier National Forest and the Mammoth Cave National Park.
A trip to India to visit relatives was at the top of my family’s travel wish list during the pandemic.
When we were finally ready and able to travel, it seemed as if the whole world had already returned to the skies with great enthusiasm, with airline ticket prices shooting up accordingly.
Since this would be our first visit to India after almost five years, we’d committed to going regardless of any obstacle thrown our way.
Planning a trip from the U.S. to Delhi of almost 30 hours in duration and with two young kids, age 8 and 14, is no easy feat.
After carefully considering all the factors like price, flight schedule and routes, booking a flight with a long layover — seven hours — appeared to be our best option.
Why we chose a long layover
Before choosing our travel dates, we considered many factors, like ticket prices, number of stops, school break, paid time off from work, holiday travel chaos and the potential for winter storms. We also had the additional complication of needing to book our tickets in groups of two because my husband and high schooler had to return home sooner.
While it may seem strange, the flights we selected, with a long airport layover, were a calculated choice. We wanted to ensure that we wouldn’t have to sprint to make our connecting flight — not so easy with a whole family and lots of luggage.
After much deliberation, I reserved tickets from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) with a seven-hour layover at London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR).
As our travel dates approached, my anxiety about keeping everyone sane for seven hours at Heathrow Airport increased. I started Googling and asking advice from TPG’s large team of travel experts and frequent flyers, but my family’s 30-hour-long itinerary with two kids was certainly not the norm.
Sign up for our daily newsletter
A common theme among my colleagues was that I should spend the layover in a lounge at LHR. Since I don’t yet have a credit card with airport lounge benefits and I didn’t want to sign up for a credit card just for lounge perks, that wasn’t really an option. In light of this experience, that decision may change soon.
Long-haul flights can be especially difficult when traveling with youngsters, but there are many tips and tricks out there to make the journey easier.
Planning ahead and having plenty of activities and snacks on hand will help keep little ones entertained. Some of our favorite travel games include word puzzles, sudoku, coloring books and printable maps.
Perhaps the most important thing, however, is to organize your hand luggage so that all your kid-friendly paraphernalia is easy to access when you are transiting through a busy terminal — choosing the right carry-on can often make all the difference.
Departure-day chaos
Our flight departure coincided with the first day of the major holiday travel period last December, which meant more traffic on the roads and longer lines at the airport — not to mention a fair number of passengers with frayed nerves.
We decided to leave the house earlier than we would normally during non-peak travel periods to give ourselves a nice buffer. While it did extend our itinerary by another hour, it was totally worth it.
It wasn’t just the long security lines that complicated our airport experience. Between the four of us, we were lugging around three carry-ons and four backpacks. By the time we had removed all our electronic devices, chargers, shoes and jackets and placed them in separate trays, we now had nine trays of gear that we needed to keep track of and repack. It was chaotic, for sure! If there was ever a time that I understood why so many of my co-workers at TPG have either TSA PreCheck or Clear, that was it. Lesson learned.
This security process was even more complex at LHR, where electronic items need to be placed in separate trays and 100-millimeter liquids must be placed in transparent, sealable bags no more than 8 by 8 inches. This resulted in even more trays than we had at ATL.
After going through security, we were finally ready to relax and grab a bite to eat.
Related: Why you should get TSA PreCheck and Clear — and how you can save on both
The long layover begins
The moment that I’d been planning for (and worrying about) for so many days had finally arrived.
After a smooth flight, we landed at LHR Terminal 3 midmorning. Thanks to travel fatigue (from days of packing, organizing and luggage handling) and an almost perfectly timed night flight, we had all been able to sleep periodically during the flight, so we weren’t feeling any major jet lag just yet.
11:10 am
From the time it took to deplane and then sort, collect and repack our 10 trays at the security check, plus make a couple of restroom visits, almost 90 minutes had flown by.
With holiday travel in full swing, we then spent almost 15 minutes searching for enough open seats to accommodate my family and our bags.
Once my family had settled in, I promptly ditched them to take a walk around the terminal (that is my way of stretching my legs after a long flight) and grab a coffee and cookie from the trendy EL&N London outpost that had been recommended by a co-worker. This cute all-pink cafe was certainly a treat for tired eyes.
12:30 pm
After exploring a little, I headed back to my family. We set a 20-minute timer to disconnect the kids from their devices while I took them for a walk around the airport so they could pick a restaurant for lunch.
I was able to sneak in a food scavenger hunt for my 8-year-old and a shopping scavenger hunt for my 14-year-old, which led them inside some of the stores in the terminal where they could also peruse some British novelties.
Shopping was not the end game, but letting them each buy one or two little things as souvenirs added a dose of excitement and kept the kids engaged for another chunk of time.
Despite Heathrow being the second-busiest airport in the world, I was surprised to find that Terminal 3 felt quite small, which made it easier to navigate, especially when you are 15 hours into a very long journey.
If you are looking for a long, lingering lunch at Heathrow’s T3, your options are quite limited. We finally chose a restaurant named Spuntino for its diverse menu that we knew would cater to everyone’s taste.
3:45 pm
We’d been so focused on our activities and enjoying lunch that we didn’t notice that a little over four hours had passed.
We secured a long seat with enough room to relax, either by stretching our legs on our luggage or leaning our heads on each other’s shoulders. It was the perfect time to just enjoy reading and relaxing together, and another hour quickly passed by.
My youngest child has no interest in or patience for drawing, but his elder brother sometimes manages to motivate him. At this particular moment, that skill was key.
When I’d checked everything off my list, offline drawing videos were a savior. Even though exhaustion was kicking in at this point, both boys became completely focused upon creating their artworks.
Finally, around 5:10 p.m., we regrouped and headed toward the gate to board our 6 p.m. flight.
My husband and I exchanged a smile of relief that we’d managed to get through our seven-hour layover, relatively stress-free, and shared memorable moments together in the process.
What worked and what didn’t
Kind of worked
Scavenger hunts are a great way to make airport layovers entertaining for kids. As I was traveling with a teenager and an 8-year-old, the same ideas wouldn’t work for both kids, so I downloaded different options like a food hunt and an airport hunt for airline companies and aircraft.
While you can find these printable sheets easily on Google, I found that it’s more fun and effective to customize them to your child’s interests or your setting.
I added London-themed information: fish and chips and Dutch baby pancakes for the food hunt, and airline names like Qantas and Royal Jordanian and aircraft types like Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 for the airport hunt (this information is available on the Heathrow Airport Guide website).
The scavenger hunt idea worked wonders with the younger one, the food hunt was fun for the teenager, and locating aircraft sparked an interest in aviation.
Worked
Since my eldest son likes to draw, he helped me download some drawing lessons for himself and his younger brother. Another great tip is to add some shiny new art supplies to their bag, too.
If your kids aren’t artistically inclined, you could instead try sudoku, word puzzles, travel puzzles or card games. These options have always worked for us, both on flights and during road trips. With younger kids, the parent needs to be an active participant, but fortunately, I really enjoy playing these puzzles with them.
The food scavenger hunt was a hit. Although food items on the scavenger list were generic, they found some fun treats to enjoy both in the terminal and during the next flight. My 8-year-old was super excited to see fish and chips (from the scavenger hunt list) on the restaurant menu at lunch, and it became his instant choice.
We also bought a souvenir and some chocolates.
1 of 2
BHAWNA KHOWAL/THE POINTS GUY
Definitely worked
How could I not add a device or a gaming console to my list? Of course, I had to. No packing list is complete without versatile, quick-fix technology.
We also saved some offline games and downloaded some e-books. Since we decided not to pay for Wi-Fi on the plane, our screen time was inherently limited. Most kids will at some point become bored of playing the same offline games, which will force them to rest, read or switch to another off-screen activity.
Bottom line
Searching for and planning out activities in advance helped to ensure that our long layover was as enjoyable as possible.
While I do not regret not paying for lounge access for this particular long layover, that’s not to say that I wouldn’t consider it for my next trip.
Lounge access is no doubt a boon if your family likes to savor a nice buffet and relax and recline. But it’s not worth it if all your 8-year-old wants to do is eat KFC. (Yes, this happened on our return journey when it was just the two of us.)
Strategies that work for grown-ups or business travelers might not work for families with kids who like to roam, crave fast food at 4 a.m. and won’t appreciate that free glass of wine for mom.
Had I not prepared or planned anything, I would have wound up watching my kids on their screens the whole time, and ultimately losing my patience.
In the end, a happy child exploring, being creative and playing around with a carry-on at the airport says, “You did all right!”
It’s almost spring, you guys. I don’t know about the weather in your neck of the woods, but that’s a welcome thought where I’m at, and I live in Texas!
(Northerners, feel free to make fun of my idea of a cold winter. I don’t care. I did not sign up for anything colder than highs of 50 degrees.)
At any rate, I’ve been on a cleaning and organizing kick, a bit of early spring cleaning, if you will. I don’t know what’s gotten into me. Maybe it’s that the days are getting a little longer and that we’ve finally had some consistent sunshine around here. And those might be the reasons we spring clean in the first place, according to TLC’s How Stuff Works:
“Ultimately, spring cleaning may have more to do with simple biology. During winter, we’re exposed to less sunlight due to shorter, often dreary days. With a lack of exposure to light, the pineal gland produces melatonin — a hormone that produces sleepiness in humans. Conversely, when we’re exposed to sunlight, our bodies produce much less melatonin. It’s possible that we spring clean simply because we wake up from a winter long melatonin-induced stupor and find more energy as the days grow longer when spring arrives. After all, it’s easy to allow a house to get a little gross around the edges when you’re sleepy.”
OK, I don’t know about gross. I am, after all, my mother’s daughter. Case in point: Last Christmas, my mother bought me a Roomba. And she did it because we had a lengthy conversation about how great it would be to have a robot vacuum for daily cleaning. In between real house cleaning, of course.
At any rate, when I awoke from my melatonin-induced stupor, I realized that my files, both physical and digital, were a bit of a mess.
Files, files everywhere
My husband and I are selling our vacant land, and we finally have buyers — yea! (Buyers who need things like our septic system design and copies of permits and title documents — boo!)
The good news was that I kept all of these things in a file folder. The bad news was that every scrap of paper related to the land was also shoved into that folder. So, I started organizing the file. That led to organizing our tax return files. Then I just did the whole stupid file cabinet.
Then I realized that some of my files live on the computer, like last year’s tax returns. But my digital file cabinet was a mess too, so I spent a few hours organizing those files.
Not so fresh and so clean
I was quite proud of my gangsta organizing skills. I labeled stuff. I purged. I digitized the heck outta some documents. My files were pristine.
But then I read a report from Experian’s ProtectMyID, and my bubble burst.
Now, as a financial writer, I get a lot of reports and studies in my inbox. I trash most of them (you’re welcome). But this one caught my attention. It was about tidying up files to safeguard your finances and your identity. And the reason that it caught my attention was that I wasn’t doing a lot the stuff they said I should be doing. Gasp! My financial house was gross around the edges!
So, I demanded some answers. Or rather, I kindly requested an interview. Here’s what I learned from Becky Frost, senior manager of Experian’s ProtectMyID.
1. Shred like Steve Vai. Spring cleaning is a good time to get rid of things you no longer need, including old documents. “You probably have documents that you no longer need to keep, like old financial statements from 1992,” says Frost.
But don’t just throw them away; shred sensitive personal documents you don’t need to keep. “If a document has your current address or an account number on it, for instance, you should shred it,” says Frost. “I highly advocate having a personal shredder at home, and today they’re pretty affordable.”
What to look for in a shredder? One that crosscuts, says Frost. “You don’t want a shredder that shreds in strips, which are easy for a thief to tape back together.”
Also, for tax documents, check with IRS.gov to find out how long you need to hold on to records before shredding.
2. As seasons change, so should passwords. Want to hear something sad? I’m so bad at remembering my own passwords that I tried using one of those services like LastPass that remembers your passwords for you. Then I somehow got locked out of that too. This was what that looked like.
So point is, I’m good at setting unique, strong passwords. I just don’t remember them. And to throw another wrench in this operation, I just learned that I need to change my passwords regularly. Double d’oh.
“We recommend changing passwords with the change of every season,” says Frost, “but that’s not something that everyone likes to do.” No, everyone does not.
But Frost had an old-school suggestion for me that she says is perfectly safe in a digital world: Write your passwords down on a piece of paper. It sounded dangerous, but she says it’s “completely fine as long as you store that piece of paper in a secure location, like a locked safe box.”
Other password tips?
Passwords should have at least eight characters, including numerals, upper and lowercase letters, and special characters.
They should never be obvious, like part of your name or your mother’s maiden name. “Unfortunately, one of the top five passwords people use is still ‘password,’” says Frost.
You should have a different password for every account.
“Also, if you’re using something like a bank app, remember to log out of the app each time and to password protect your mobile device’s lock screen,” says Frost. “Don’t give a thief easy access.”
3. Clean out your wallet. Most of us know that you shouldn’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet. If you didn’t know that, get that thing out of your wallet! Ditto for passports, birth certificates, and anything with your Social Security number printed on it.
But Frost goes a bit further, saying that we should only carry what we need on a daily basis. “If you have multiple credit cards, only carry the ones you use most often,” says Frost. “Keep the others in a safe place, which means a box or a drawer with a lock on it.”
And the lock is important. Many times fraudsters and thieves turn out to be family members, friends, or employees, and not masked bandits. “Put a lock on the drawer so you won’t give people the opportunity to commit a crime in the first place,” says Frost.
Another reason to carry the bare minimum? You might lose your wallet. That happened to my dad last week, and he had to remember what was in it to figure out whom to call and what to cancel.
So, after talking to Frost, it seems that I still have some cobwebs to clean. But what about you? Do your files and accounts need a good spring cleaning? Also, I’d like to ask for your paper shredder recommendations, if you have any!
Inside: Do you need to make $5000 fast for ways to make extra money? This guide has dozens of ideas for earning money. When you need to know how to make 5000 fast, this list has something for you.
Are you looking for ways to make 5000 dollars fast?
You’re in the right place.
In this post, we’ll share 15 realistic ways to make money quickly.
Your first thought might be SCAM to make this much money fast, but honestly, there are plenty of ways to make extra cash without any special skills or experience.
You just have to decide what works best for you. That is how you will make the most money without feeling like you are working.
I love hustling to make extra money to afford things we couldn’t otherwise.
So if you’re ready to start making some extra cash, let’s get started!
What are the most realistic ways to make $5,000 fast?
Moreover, making $5,000 fast is possible through a combination of online and offline methods.
Selling items, offering freelance work, participating in paid surveys, trading stocks, and pet-sitting or dog-walking services are all viable options.
Set goals, track progress, and experiment with multiple gigs to find what works best for you. With dedication, effort, and a little bit of creativity, you can reach your income goal in no time.
How to double $5,000 quickly?
If you want to double $5,000 quickly, there are several realistic ways to achieve this goal. Here are five options to consider:
Invest in the stock market: The stock market can be a great way to make money quickly, but it also comes with risks. Look for companies with a strong track record and invest wisely.
Start a side hustle: Starting a side business or selling items online can be a great way to make extra money. Consider your skills and interests to find a profitable niche.
Participate in affiliate marketing: Affiliate marketing involves promoting products and earning a commission for each sale. Look for products with high commissions and a strong customer base.
Flip items for profit: Buy low and sell high by flipping items like cars, furniture, or electronics. This can be a risky business, so do your research and start small.
Play the long game: Consider living a frugal life and saving and investing your money over time to see a larger return. This may not double your money quickly, but it can lead to significant growth in the long run.
Each method comes with its own potential risks and benefits, so it’s important to do your research and choose the option that best fits your skills and financial goals.
With dedication and hard work, doubling your $5,000 is within reach.
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.
Are you passionate about words and reading?
If so, proofreading could be a perfect fit for you, just like it’s been for countless of readers! Learn how you can create a freelance business as a proofreader.
Check out this free workshop!
Bookkeeping is the most stable, reliable & simple business to own. This is how to make a realistic income -either part-time or full-time.
Find out TODAY if this is THE business you’ve been looking for.
16 realistic ways to make 5000 dollars fast
If you’ve been looking for ways to make some extra money, there are many opportunities out there.
While most won’t make you rich overnight, if you put in the effort, you can find some that will help you reach your financial goals.
Here are 16 realistic ways to make $5,000 fast.
1. Sell Unwanted Items
If you’re looking to make $5000 fast, selling unwanted items is a great way to do it.
Start by identifying valuable items in your home such as antiques, electronics, furniture, or musical instruments.
Once you’ve identified your items, choose a platform to sell on eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace are all great options.
When pricing your items, do some research to ensure you’re pricing them competitively. Use the “buy it now” feature on eBay or set a fair price on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. Don’t forget to take clear photos and provide detailed descriptions of your items.
Check out the most popular items to sell and make money. Plus you can declutter your home.
2. Take on a Part-Time Job
Part-time jobs offer a steady stream of income and opportunities for skill development. Often this is an overlooked way to make money, but there are plenty of part-time jobs available.
Popular part-time job options include retail or food service positions, which often offer the potential for tips or commission-based earnings.
Balancing a part-time job with other commitments may be challenging, but it can be done with proper planning and prioritization. Overall, a part-time job can be a reliable way to generate extra income and reach financial goals.
Many happen to be early morning jobs, too.
3. Invest in Stocks
Investing in stocks can be a realistic way to make $5000 fast. In fact, learn how fast you can make money with stocks.
Since you are interested in making money fast, you need to be an active trader, which means you are trading for income. Not a buy-and-hold investor.
Typically, most active traders prefer to trade growth stocks such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, or Tesla.
It’s important to do your research and choose the right stocks to invest in. More importantly, you have to know when to enter and exit. Here is the best course I know on learning how to trade stocks.
However, keep in mind that investing in stocks is subject to market risk, so it’s important to consult with a personal finance expert and assess your risk tolerance before making any investments.
4. Borrow Money
Remember that borrowing money should not be a long-term solution and explore other ways to make money as well.
If you need to make $5000 fast, borrowing money might be an option. You can borrow from a personal loan, credit card, or friends and family.
Personal loans are a good option if you have good credit, but they often come with high-interest rates.
Credit cards can offer cash advances, but the interest rates can be high too.
Borrowing from friends or family can be a good option, but it can also put a strain on relationships.
To secure the best possible terms, shop around for loans and compare interest rates and fees. Make sure to read and understand the terms and conditions before signing, and ensure you can make the payments on time.
5. Sell Things Online
Selling things online is a great way to make extra cash quickly. This involves buying items you know you can resell online for a higher price.
With the ability to reach a wider audience and the convenience of not having to leave your house, selling online has become increasingly popular.
Platforms like eBay, Etsy, and Amazon offer product-selling concepts that make it easy to sell a variety of items, from clothes to electronics.
To optimize product listings, take high-quality photos, write detailed descriptions, and price items competitively. When handling shipping and handling, use free shipping labels, and provide excellent customer service to ensure a positive experience for buyers.
6. Land a Job That You Can Do From Home
To land a job that you can do from home, it’s important to have the necessary skills and qualifications for the job you’re interested in.
Popular work-from-home jobs include online tutoring, virtual assistance, bookkeeping, social media management, and transcription.
Be prepared to participate in virtual interviews and demonstrate your ability to work independently. With the right skills and job search strategies, you can land a job that you can do from home.
Find the best non phone work from home jobs.
7. Make Crafts
Crafts can be a fun way to turn your hobby into a money-making side hustle.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Choose your craft: Decide on a craft that you enjoy making and that you think will sell well. Popular options include jewelry, candles, and home decor.
Gather your materials: Depending on your craft, you’ll need to gather materials such as beads, wax, or fabric. You can find these at craft stores or online.
Develop your skills: If you’re new to your chosen craft, take some time to practice and improve your skills. Watch tutorials and read books to learn new techniques.
Create your products: Once you have your materials and skills, start creating your products. Make sure they’re high-quality and visually appealing.
Set up shop: You can sell your crafts online through platforms like Etsy or Amazon Handmade. You can also sell them in person at craft fairs or local markets.
Promote your products: Use social media and word of mouth to promote your products. Share photos and information about your crafts and encourage people to buy them.
By following these steps, you can turn your love of crafting into a profitable side hustle. Remember to be patient and persistent in your efforts to sell your crafts.
8. Rent Out a Space
Right now, your space can be a profitable side hustle.
To make $5000 fast by renting out a space, start by identifying the type of space you can rent out, such as a parking room, garage, or storage space.
You can even get creative and rent out your pool.
Clean and organize the space, then list it on online platforms like Airbnb, Turo, or Neighbor. To ensure a smooth rental process, screen potential renters, set clear rules and expectations, and maintain regular communication.
With some effort and attention to detail, renting out a space can provide a lucrative source of extra income.
9. Sell Digital Goods
This is one of the most popular ways to make money.
Digital goods are products that can be downloaded, streamed, or accessed online, such as ebooks, printables, stock photos, and online courses.
They are a viable option for making money quickly because they require little to no overhead costs and can be sold to a global audience.
The most popular is creating and selling printables. Learn how to make printables.
With dedication and effort, selling digital goods can be a lucrative way to make up to $5000 fast.
10. Join the Gig Economy
The gig economy refers to a labor market characterized by short-term contracts or freelance work, as opposed to permanent jobs.
Popular platforms in the gig economy include:
Joining the gig economy can be an effective way to make $5,000 quickly. One of the main benefits of working in the gig economy is flexibility, as you can determine your own schedules.
To maximize earnings, it’s important to treat gig work like a business and stay organized, tracking expenses and income.
11. Work as a Shopper
As a shopper, your job is to pick up and deliver items to customers using your own vehicle.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get started:
Choose a platform: There are several platforms to choose from, such as Instacart, Shipt, and DoorDash. Research each platform and choose the one that best suits your needs.
Sign up: Once you’ve chosen a platform, sign up and complete the application process. This typically involves providing personal information, a valid driver’s license, and passing a background check.
Attend orientation: Some platforms require you to attend an orientation session before you can start working. This will provide you with important information on how to use the app, how to pick up and deliver items, and how to maximize your earnings.
Start shopping: Once you’re approved, log into the app and start accepting orders. Be sure to read the instructions carefully and communicate with the customer if you have any questions.
Maximize earnings: To maximize your earnings, consider working during peak hours when there are more orders available. You can also increase your tips by providing excellent customer service and communicating with customers throughout the shopping process. Additionally, some platforms offer bonuses for completing a certain number of orders within a specified time frame.
Ensure success: To ensure success, it’s important to be organized and efficient. Plan your route ahead of time and try to group orders in the same area together. Keep track of your expenses, such as gas and vehicle maintenance, and make sure you’re earning enough to cover these costs.
With the convenience of on-demand shopping and delivery services, there’s never been a better time to get started.
12. Clean Houses
Cleaning houses can be a lucrative business, with the demand for house cleaning services always high.
To get started, you will need basic cleaning supplies such as cleaning products, mops, vacuums, and cleaning cloths. You can market your services by creating flyers, promoting on social media, and offering referral discounts.
Here are some tips to be successful:
Setting your rates depends on factors such as the size of the house and the frequency of cleaning.
Negotiating with clients can help you secure long-term contracts.
Providing excellent customer service is crucial for building a loyal client base.
As your business grows, consider expanding your services to include laundry and organizing, and hiring additional staff to take on more clients.
With dedication and hard work, you can make up to $5000 fast by cleaning houses.
13. Take Photos
If you’re looking for a side hustle that can earn you some extra cash, taking photos on your phone and selling them on stock photo sites is a great option. You don’t need to be a professional photographer, but having some experience can be helpful.
Some of the best apps to sell your photos on include Shutterstock, Deposit Photos, or iStock by Getty Images.
To get started, you’ll need to create a portfolio of your best work and start submitting them to stock photo sites. While you might need to purchase a camera and photo editing software, there’s not much else you need to get started.
It’s possible to make $1 or more per photo you sell.
14. Write Web Content for a Blog
Well-written web content is essential for making money online, as it can attract more visitors to your blog and keep them engaged.
To write effective web content, it’s important to understand your audience and their needs and to use clear and concise language.
Make sure to use headings, bullet points, and images to break up text and make it easier to read. Additionally, provide actionable advice that can help readers make money or solve a problem.
Sharing your personal experiences and stories can also help to connect with your audience and build trust. By following these tips, you can create high-quality web content that can help you make money and increase website traffic.
15. Engage in Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is promoting someone else’s product or service and receiving a commission for every sale you facilitate.
To be successful with affiliate marketing, start by finding products with high commissions and you will need a large number of followers.
Build an audience around the products you’re promoting and promote them through social media and email marketing. Focus on building a strong relationship with your audience and providing value through helpful content.
With the right strategy and persistence, you can earn your first $5000 through affiliate marketing in no time.
16. Provide Virtual Assistant Services
Virtual assistant jobs are becoming increasingly popular as a way to make money from the comfort of your own home.
As a virtual assistant, you can perform a variety of tasks such as scheduling appointments, managing social media accounts, answering emails, creating presentations, and more. The amount of money you can make will vary depending on your skills, but the average hourly rate for a virtual assistant is around $25 per hour.
Additionally, taking virtual assistant courses and learning new skills can help you specialize and earn more money.
How to use what you’ve learned to start making money quickly
Believe me, I have gone down the road of making money with MLMs or (multi-level-marketing). However, I have found the above ways to be better options for me.
Once you find your groove, you will be able to scale up how much money you make.
Step 1: Research ways to make money fast
If you need to make money quickly, there are many legitimate opportunities available.
Try multiple gigs to find what pays the most in your area and what you enjoy doing.
When researching ways to make money fast, be cautious of scams and do your due diligence before committing to anything. With a bit of creativity and determination, you can find practical and actionable steps to achieve your financial goals.
Step 2: Choose a way to make money fast
When choosing the best way to make $5000 fast, there are a few criteria to consider.
First, consider your skills and interests. If you enjoy driving, delivering for DoorDash or UberEats could be a good fit. If you’re tech-savvy, freelance work or online tutoring might be a good option.
Second, consider the time commitment. Some methods, like selling items on eBay or Facebook Marketplace, can be done in your spare time, while others, like starting a side hustle or taking on freelance work, may require more time and effort.
Finally, consider the potential earnings. Some methods, day trading stocks or selling printables, have the potential for higher earnings than others.
Step 3: Get started making money fast
If you’re looking to make money fast, it’s important to take action right away and not get bogged down by analysis paralysis.
Start with the methods that require the least amount of time and effort, such as selling items you no longer need or completing online surveys. These are easy-to-implement money-making strategies that can quickly generate extra cash.
If you need to save up for a course, then set aside your profits to make that happen.
Step 4: Sacrifice your time for money
Sacrificing your time can be a great way to make money quickly.
The best is when you start to build passive income, you are earning money without the need to work. That is when your hard work will pay off.
By dedicating your time to side hustles, you can earn a significant amount of money within a short period.
Step 5: Maximize your revenue with each step
To make $5000 fast, it’s essential to set realistic revenue goals and identify the most profitable revenue streams.
Prioritize the revenue streams that are most feasible and have the highest earning potential. Once you have identified your revenue streams, optimize your earnings by leveraging your skills and resources.
This could include networking, outsourcing, or investing in your own education to improve your earning potential.
FAQ
Flipping items on eBay is a great way to make money.
To start, you need to find items that you can buy for a low price and sell for a higher price. Look for items that are in demand, such as electronics, clothing, and collectibles. You can find these items at flea markets, garage sales, and online marketplaces like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.
Remember to reinvest your profits into buying more items to flip. With time and effort, flipping items on eBay can be a lucrative side hustle.
Becoming a content creator on YouTube might be an option for you.
You can make money from ads, affiliates, and sponsored content, as well as selling your own merch and products.
It is important to create consistent and top-quality videos to build up a following, but it can be a lucrative online side hustle.
freelance work, and more. Here are some of the most popular options:
Freelance work: Graphic design, web development, digital marketing, typing, and more.
Food delivery: DoorDash, Instacart, Uber Eats, Grubhub, and more.
Package delivery: Amazon Flex, Roadie, GoShare, Lugg, and more.
Rideshare driving: Lyft, Uber, and more.
While these jobs offer flexibility and quick payment, they may come with fees and additional costs. Nevertheless, they are great options for making extra income on the side.
There are plenty of job opportunities in the gig economy, ranging from food delivery to How to make $5,000 in a month?
There are several realistic and actionable ways to make $5,000 in a month.
Freelance jobs like virtual assistance, freelance writing, and web development are great options. If you have an established following, your YouTube channel could also make more than $5,000. Other methods to explore are selling on Amazon, affiliate marketing, and blogging.
While some methods may require more work than others, there’s no reason you can’t earn this money quickly.
Remember to think outside the box and explore all of your options.
How to Get 5000 Dollars Fast
Remember that making money fast requires dedication and persistence, but the rewards can be significant.
The potential earnings and time commitment for each option vary, but with effort and dedication, you can make $5000 within a couple of months.
Selling items can earn you a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, while freelance work and trading stocks can earn you thousands of dollars depending on the quality of your work.
Don’t be afraid to try new things and experiment with different methods until you find what works best for you.
Also, consider what works well for one person may not be the best idea for the next.
Maybe earning 5k is more than you need:
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!
Often, there are two camps of people when it comes to wrangling financial documents: Some keep everything, every ATM receipt, every bank statement, sometimes in a drawer or box with little to no organizing principle. Others throw away (hopefully after shredding) just about everything that arrives in the mail.
The best approach is likely somewhere in between. There is a happy medium. Here, you’ll learn how to keep just what you need, organize it well, and dispose of financial documents properly when they no longer serve a purpose.
The Importance of Financial Statements
“Out of sight, out of mind” is a cliche for a reason. Once taxes are filed, paychecks are deposited, and the rent or mortgage is paid, we tend to forget about these transactions, dumping the receipts in a deep file cabinet or throwing them away altogether.
However, the consequences of financial documents and bank statements stick around long after they’ve been settled. For example, the IRS can come calling years after a person files taxes if the organization suspects that income was misreported. Or, in the event of loss or damage, having a record of purchase for big-ticket items like electronics or jewelry can make it easier to file a claim.
Keeping track of financial statements can help serve as protection or proof if a transaction is challenged or misreported. Without the statement, people might spend days trying to obtain duplicate records, when they could have just had them neatly filed in the first place.
Not everything needs to be saved forever, but some things should be safely filed away for a rainy day.
Recommended: Do I Need a Personal Accountant?
What to Keep and For How Long
Like items in a grocery store, each type of financial document has its own expiration date. Some will be relevant years after they’ve been filed; others can be tossed within months. Here’s the general rule of thumb of how long a person should keep each statement:
Tax Documents: 6-7 Years
Keep tax documents — anything related to filing taxes — around for seven years. Why so long? The IRS can audit anyone up to three years after they file if the agency suspects that an error was made in “good faith,” aka an accident.
income tax return up to three years after the fact for a refund.
Additionally, the IRS has six years to follow up on returns if it thinks the filer underreported income substantially, meaning by 25% or more.
It’s not a bad idea to keep the tax return, in addition to supporting documents. That could include evidence of:
• Retirement plan contributions
• Charitable contributions
• Interest payments on a mortgage
• Alimony or child support payments
Record of Sales: 3 Years
From selling stock to selling a home, and every large sale in between, it could be smart to keep these records of sale for at least three years after the transaction takes place. These documents can be called up in tax-related issues.
Paycheck Stubs, Bills, Bank Statements, Investment Statements: 1 Year
If someone isn’t using direct deposit for payday, they should keep their physical paychecks for a year. Once they receive their W-2 and confirm that the amounts match, the stubs can go.
Utility bills, bank statements, and other bills should stick around for a year , just to be safe. Budgeters can use them to compare balances month over month. It also can be a helpful habit to check over bank and credit card statements each month. It’s a chance to catch and dispute fraudulent or incorrect charges. In addition, bills for services like medical treatment and auto repair should be kept for at least for a year for reference.
Investment statements that are distributed quarterly should be kept on hand until the annual statement is revealed and the numbers are lined up.
Ready for a Better Banking Experience?
Open a SoFi Checking and Savings Account and start earning 4.20% APY on your cash!
Receipts, Resolved Credit Card Statements: Toss It
Unless purchases are logged manually, a person should feel comfortable tossing receipts almost as soon as they acquire them. As long as they don’t plan to return the item, all they should do is confirm the amount against the debit or credit card charge, then send that little slip to the trash.
credit card is paid in full each month, there’s not much reason to keep the statement lying around. Again, it can be used to check charged amounts and spot mistakes or fraud, but once statements are resolved against transactions, it should be okay to ditch the statement.
Although there are suggestions for how long people should keep a statement, at the end of the day, they should trust their gut. If there’s an urge to hold on to something not listed above, keep it.
Three Ways to Store Sensitive Documents
It won’t matter what a person saves and shreds if they don’t know where to find records in the long run. Safely storing sensitive financial documents doesn’t really mean tucking them away and forgetting about them. Here are a few ways to store and organize financial records:
• Use an old-school filing system. Finding an affordable, fire-safe file box to keep statements in is already a massive step up from the bottom of a junk drawer. Everyone will have their own approach to logical filing, but it could be done by year, type of record, or institution the record comes from.
Some might be tempted to go extra safe and take this paperwork to a safety deposit box at the bank. However, if the documentation is needed, it won’t do a person much good sitting miles away in a bank vault. Keeping it close and safe is probably preferable.
• Scan and save online. Many smartphones come with the capability to scan documents, and there are other well-reviewed scanning apps on the market. Those who tend to lose paper might choose to scan everything and save it online. The only hitch is keeping up with the scanning, and saving all documents to the cloud instead of just on the phone.
• Go paperless. Many institutions offer paper-free transactions, meaning customers don’t get statements in the mail. Online banks vs. traditional banks have made this a priority. Going paperless does not mean having to log on to each site to get financial information, but it does mean a person is less likely to lose papers.
Going paperless with financial statements may require a little more work to access records — people can’t just wait for documents to arrive in the mail. But if done correctly, they can find the papers they need with the click of a few buttons.
Recommended: Are Online Bank Accounts Safe?
The Takeaway
Going paperless with records doesn’t have to be tricky or time-consuming. That’s one of the benefits of opening an online bank account like SoFi Checking and Savings. It’s easy to find the information you are looking for online, as well as to track your spending and saving in one convenient place. What’s more, SoFi offers a competitive annual percentage yield (APY) and charges no account fees, which could help your money grow faster.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.
SoFi members with direct deposit can earn up to 4.20% annual percentage yield (APY) interest on Savings account balances (including Vaults) and up to 1.20% APY on Checking account balances. There is no minimum direct deposit amount required to qualify for these rates. Members without direct deposit will earn 1.20% APY on all account balances in Checking and Savings (including Vaults). Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 4/25/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet. 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. Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice. SOBK0523022U
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.
The Christmas season is here and you want fun ideas to do!
To help make your life easier this year, I created a bucket list full of over 100 activities. You can use it as an actual bucket list or just enjoy scrolling through some fun things to do with friends and family before December 25th.
You will find everything from decorating ideas for your home (from simple snowflakes that are easy enough for kids to make) all the way to DIY recipes for Christmas treats.
Who doesn’t love a good list?
This Christmas bucket list is things you can do with your family around the Christmas season to make it more lively and enjoyable.
I made this list for my own kids, but I thought I would share it with you to use it too!
How can you make your Christmas bucket list more fun?
There are many different ways to make your Christmas bucket list more fun.
One way is to focus on new activities that you haven’t done before. Another way is to add food-related activities, which always make Christmas special.
You can also try incorporating some outdoor activities, even if it’s just for a (snowy) day.
And don’t forget about family traditions! They’re a big part of the holidays and can really enhance the experience.
No matter what you do, make sure you enjoy yourself (and not stress yourself out)! The holidays are a time for celebration and should be spent with loved ones. Merry Christmas!
Memorable Christmas Bucket List
While we love the classic Christmas bucket lists, we also are always looking for unique ideas to add to your holiday bucket list.
Some of these out-of-the-box ideas are pretty sweet and you may want to do them year and year again.
You can find everything from baking cookies to attending a German market to spending Christmas at a lodge. No matter what you choose, make sure you keep in touch with your family and friends during the holidays.
1. Go to Mexico. This is one of our Christmas traditions! There is something relaxing about enjoying the beach while Felix Navidad is playing in the background. (Gift hint… all of the beach gifts can be given to be used on the trip.)
2. Book a Wintery Mountain Stay. On the flip side, there is something magical about sipping hot cocoa while by the fireplace when giant snowflakes are falling outside.
3. Participate in a Neighborhood Luminaires Night. Organize one night for all of your neighbors to put luminaries outlining their driveways. It is a symbolic event with neighbors coming together in peace.
4. Roast Chestnuts. Just like in the famous song by Nat King Cole, it is your turn to roast chestnuts on an open fire.
5. Wrap Presents with Friends. For some wrapping presents is fun, for others it is a task. But everything is always sweeter to do with friends, so plan a time to wrap presents with friends. Appetizers and drinks are optional.
6. Order Matching Christmas Pajamas. This is a popular Christmas tradition for most families. Make sure you order your matching Christmas Pajamas in time. Some of my favorite places to find them are Kohl’s, Macy’s, and Amazon.
7.Wear Matching Christmas Pajamas. Depending on the age of your kids and spouse will depend on how well the matching outfits go over. Make sure to snap pictures!!
8.Kiss Under the Mistletoe. This is a fun Christmas tradition for kids and adults. Kids love this because it’s not just kissing their parents on the cheek, but they get to kiss everyone in the room! Adults love this too because it’s a great opportunity to get some alone time with your significant other.
9. Host a Progressive Dinner. This is a great idea to host a fun holiday party. For each course of a meal, you move houses.
For example, you start at house A for appetizers.
Then, move to House B for dinner.
Finally, wrap up at House C for dessert.
If you have more houses participating, then you can easily stretch to a 7-course meal.
10. Buy Ugly Christmas sweaters. This is a love-hate for many people. Are you totally into buying Christmas sweaters or do you want to shy away? Either way, it is always helpful to have at least one ugly Christmas sweater in your closet.
11. And then host an Ugly Sweater Christmas Party. Time to invite all of your introvert friends for an epic ugly sweater party. The winner walks away with a prize!
12. Go to a Christmas Eve Service. If you’re feeling a little more spiritual, there are many churches that offer Christmas Eve services. If it’s your first time going to one, consider this a good opportunity to introduce the whole family and get them interested in going.
13. Classic Christmas Movie Marathon. This is always a popular idea! Especially one that is next to free to do! Pull up the classic movies and enjoy!
14. Read Christmas Books. This is another one that is uber-popular in our house! We try to stick with Christmas-only books in the month of December. One of our favorites is JK Rowling’s latest book!
15. Go on River Cruises. The river is a great place to find some peace and quiet. You can go during the day or at night.
16. Stay Downtown. Whether you are looking in another state or in your own city, you’ll find a new adventure.
17. Snowman Building Competition. Set up a snowman building competition in your neighborhood and let the winners decide what charity to donate the money raised! Bragging rites until the next competition is held.
18. Shake a Snowglobe. Maybe even add to your snowglobe collection. There is a great children’s book called Snow Globe Family. That is a super fun read.
Classic Christmas Bucket List Ideas
This is the list you think of when it comes to Christmas things to do!
Whatever you decide to do this holiday season, make sure it’s something that will create memories that will last a lifetime.
19. Bake Christmas Cookies. This is the classic holiday bucket list idea. Here are some of our favorite Christmas cookie recipes.
20. Watch Christmas Hallmark Movies. Did you know there is a countdown to when the Hallmark Channel releases their Christmas movies?!?! Yes, this is a must-do for many people. In fact, you may want to buy them the same Hallmark socks we gave our moms.
21. Host a Christmas cookie exchange. Yes, please! Cookie exchanges are the best. In fact, it is one of the most popular Christmas challenges.
22. Go Christmas Caroling. Is it a tradition? Or is it just something that you love to do with your friends and family? Bring joy to your neighborhood or nursing home by singing traditional Christmas carols.
23. Volunteer. This could be serving at a soup kitchen, organizing an event for people who can’t afford gifts to “shop,” or lending a hand to a neighbor in need. There are many organizations looking for help.
24. Build a Snowman. Yes, this is the ultimate idea for families. Make sure you have the snowman supplies to dress up your Frosty the Snowman properly. Don’t forget the carrot nose!
25. Build a Gingerbread House. This is a classic activity for many kids and you can easily pick up a gingerbread house kit for under $10. However, it is not just for kids. Check out this family’s gingerbread house display!
26. Christmas Portrait Time. Thankfully, this time of year you can find plenty of Pinterest-perfect backdrops to take portraits at. You can take family photos or one of each person in your house. This accessory helps your amateur photos look professional!
27. Mail Christmas Cards. This may have been a long-standing tradition for many years and slowly making a comeback. You can take Christmas photos just for the occasion or a collage of photos. Order your Christmas cards here.
28. Read Twas the Night Before Christmas. This Christmas classic must be read at least once on Christmas Eve. Grab your copy of the classic book.
29. Find Creative Ideas for Elf of the Shelf. Let’s face it. You jumped on this tradition … hook.line.and.sinker. Now, you must keep up with all of the Pinterest perfect ideas.
Christmas Outdoor Bucket List
Time to get outside and explore. Fresh air is always helpful!
30. Go Sledding. This is a classic bucket list item. Check out a new sledding hill in your neighborhood.
31. Build a Snow Fort. This is personally one of my favorite activities, but Mother Nature must cooperate with tons of snow! Grab some shovels and start building a fort!
32. Snowball Fight Time. Who doesn’t love a good snowball fight?!?! Grab some friends and head out for an epic snowball fight. Even better if you built the snow fort prior to game time!
33. Go Ice Skating. This is a classic especially if you live in the upper midwest. There are plenty of recreation centers that make ice skating a reasonable cost activity.
34. Skiing. Fresh powder sounds like the perfect Christmas tradition. Just make sure to book your ticket early.
35. Plan a Wintery Picnic. Grab a blanket, lunch, some hot cocoa, and your Christmas Pajamas for an outdoor picnic this winter! Make this time special with a special picnic basket to use.
36. Go Snowboarding. Time to shred the slopes. Check out the latest snowboarding gear.
37. Time to Go Tobogganing. What is tobogganing exactly? Much like sledding except you hit the snow-covered slopes and artificial-ice-covered chutes with a toboggan.
38. Give the Gift of Nature. Take your family on an outing to see some beautiful nature! Get out in the fresh air and enjoy the beauty of nature.
39. Make a Snow Angel. This is the perfect activity for kids to do. Yet, very calming and peaceful if you decide to get down in the snow and create snow angels.
40. Hunt for the Perfect Live Tree. Grab your permit and go on a hunt for the perfect Christmas tree. Make sure to bundle up and wear snow boots!
41. Catch Snowflakes on your Tongue. Regardless of your age, this childhood memory needs to be done yearly for your Christmas bucket list. Drop all of your worries off your shoulders as you catch a snowflake on your tongue.
42 Skate on Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks. Skip the indoor rinks and head outside to skate. Even more romantic if the snow is falling.
43. Create a Winter Wonderland. This one is a do-it-yourself project that doesn’t require any crafting skills.
44. Go for a Holiday Walk. Take some time out of the hustle and bustle by taking a walk outside.
45. Neighborhood Christmas Light Competition. Another great idea is to put your home in a Christmas lights competition! This can be really fun if you have friends and family who live close by. All you need is some creative decorations and an appetite for holiday cheer.
Name That Entertainment Holiday Bucket List
Time for friends, laughter, and fun!!
These are the social must-haves on your entertainment holiday bucket list!
46. Host Christmas Eve Dinner at your home. If you have room, open up your home to friends or family who might otherwise be alone for Christmas. Our Christmas Eve tradition is fondue!
47. Christmas Party Night. Invite your friends and family over for a Christmas party night! This is a fun way to get everyone together in one place, have some laughs, and enjoy each other’s company.
48. Wear Christmas Dress Attire. Everyone wants an excuse to dress up. So, make sure you have a special occasion to year your Christmas cocktail dresses.
49. Find Entertainment from the Seasonal Classics. This could be watching The Polar Express (it’s on Netflix now!), listening to holiday music, or reading a children’s Christmas book.
50. Host an Advent Calendar Party. It is so much fun to count down the days before Christmas! This works especially well in a classroom setting. Each day is a new activity to count down the days until Christmas.
51. A Christmas Story. Watch A Christmas Story and then read a few of the lines with your friends!
52. Home Acting. Put on your own production of your favorite movie or theater production!
53. Misfit Toys. Collect a variety of small, inexpensive toys and have your guests guess which toy belongs to each guest. To make it more fun, be sure to include some items that are broken or missing pieces!
54. Mistletoe Bingo. Get your guests in the Christmas spirit by setting up a bingo board with different categories for them to fill out!
55. Birthday Party for Jesus. ‘Tis the reason for the season – the birth of Jesus Christ. Plan a birthday party to celebrate everything Jesus gave to us.
56. Holiday Game Night. Christmas is a time for fun and games, so why not have a Christmas-themed game night? Some popular game ideas include playing charades, Pictionary, or Cranium. You could also try some new games that you haven’t played before – like Elf on the Shelf or Monopoly.
Holiday Season Bucket List Around Town
One of the best things about the holiday season is there are SO MANY activities to do with no money. You can find something to do each day for free.
The paid events are classics that create lifelong memories!
57. Book a Limo to Check out Christmas Lights. What better way to enjoy watching the Christmas lights and not having to drive? Personally, this works great when sharing the limo costs with friends!
58. Attend a Local Craft Fair. These craft fairs are becoming a hot place to find personalized gifts. Plus it is a great way to give back to local small businesses as well as the high school teams and clubs who organize the craft fairs.
59. Book Tickets to a Lightshow. This is a hot commodity so make sure to book your tickets early – like around Halloween. That way you will get the prime time you want to attend the light show. Also, many areas have more than one popular light show to see!
60. Attend a Ballet Performace. While the Nutcracker is a popular dance performance, there are plenty of other ballets at this time of year.
61. Watch The Nutcracker Live. I have danced in and seen the Nutcracker so many times that I have lost count. However, I love the production, the costumes, and the music! Make it more magical by taking a young girl who has never seen the Nutcracker before and watching the production through their star-struck eyes.
62. Visit Your Local Christmas Market. Every town has one. A local store stocked with all things Christmas! Maybe even see if your area has a German Christmas Market and check out the varying traditions.
63. Attend a Holiday Tree Lighting Event. Right after Thanksgiving, there are plenty of local tree lighting ceremonies. Check with your city for dates and times.
64. Attend a Holiday Festival. The holidays are the perfect time to attend a festival with family or friends. By attending, you can enjoy the activities and experience new things that may be on your list for next year!
64. Attend a Christmas Parade. Get out and see the Christmas spirit in all of your favorite holiday traditions. Most cities kick off the holidays with a parade.
Christmas Bucket List in the Kitchen (Recipes a Must!)
Around the holidays, the kitchen is the hub of the activity. More money is spent on food and drink in November and December. So, you must include a few of these Christmas activities on your list.
65. Decorate Sugar Cookies. This is a great project that tastes delicious. It’s also really easy and you’ll be surprised how much your decorating skills improve each year.
66. Make Hot Cider. Hot cider is a great drink to have this time of year. This Christmas treat can be made in the oven or on the stovetop, with just enough heat that it’s still perfect for kids and adults. Plus it makes your house smell naturally festive.
67. Enjoy Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows. This is a perfect wintertime drink. Surprise the family with cute Christmas mugs.
68. Drink Egg Nog. This is a classic must-have during the holidays. There is something that warms your belly with the creaminess of egg nog. Make sure to buy your Egg Nog early as many stores ran out at Christmas time. Which eggnog flavor is your favorite?
69. Gourmet Hot Chocolate Bar. Set up a hot chocolate bar with all of your favorite toppings, like cinnamon, heavy cream, and gourmet chocolates. This will make the holidays even more special!
70. Snowy Ice Cream Treats! Make some delicious homemade ice cream and put it in bowls or cups and hand them out to your loved ones.
71. Visit a Bakery. These places are filled with great ideas! If you don’t have time, pick up one of their creations. Or try to make your own at home.
72. Make Your Own Gingerbread House Kit. This gingerbread house kit contains everything you need to make a gingerbread house this season.
73. Make Homemade Marshmallows. These are so simple to make and perfect for hot chocolate or in a sugar cookie recipe!
74. Make a Birthday Cake for Jesus. There is a huge reason to celebrate! So, let’s bake a cake and celebrate!
Crafty Christmas Bucket List
You don’t have to be super crafty for any of these projects. Simple ways to make decorations!
For many people, making their own gifts is a great way to give awesome Christmas gifts when you are broke.
75. Get crafty! There are thousands of Christmas crafts you can do during this season! Some ideas include making ornaments or wreaths, cutting out snowflakes, decorating a gingerbread house, or making your own Christmas cards.
76. Make DIY Christmas Tree Ornaments. Okay, I will be honest … there are so many great ideas for DIY Christmas Tree ornaments that I freeze on which project to actually complete. So, pick 1 or 2 that you know are within your crafty skills and get started!
77. Make Paper Snowflakes. This is a classic Christmas activity to do.
78. Make a Christmas Wreath and Decorations with your kids or family members. This is great for the whole family to do together, as it helps create memories that are sure to last a lifetime.
79. Wonder the Craft Stores. With no agenda and plenty of time! Let your mind wander and fill with amazing Christmas crafts you could make.
80. Make Salt Dough Ornaments. This is the simplest Christmas craft for the non-crafty person! Learn how to make salt dough from Katie.
81. Create Candy Care Garlands. The options are endless on this one! You can use big candy canes or mini candy canes to make your garlands.
82. Decorate a Christmas Photo Frame. This is a fun project that can be completed in just minutes! Take any old frame and spray paint it white. Then, add Christmas decorations around it or use spray painted puzzle pieces.
83. Knit Christmas Mittens. This is a quick and easy project to knit up for the holidays!
84. Make Your Own Snowmen. Make your own snowman out of rice or beans, it’s fun and easy.
85. Put Snowflakes on the Windows. This is a fun and easy way to decorate for the holidays.
86. Make Your Own Poinsettia Wreath. These wreaths can be made in no time at all!
87. Find Creative Ideas for Elf of the Shelf. Let’s decorate the elf and make its day bright!
88. Make Wreath Cards from Last year’s Christmas Cards. This is a great way to upcycle and make unique Christmas ideas. Watch this YouTube video to learn how.
89. Decorate Staircases with Ribbons. This is a simple trick to make your house look more festive!
90. Make Orange Peel Poppuri. This is a simple and quick recipe that will make your house smell fragrant.
91. Make Christmas Cards. This is the perfect time to make your own Christmas card with all of your family members, friends, and even pets! There are so many fun ways to customize these cards. You can be crafty with paper supplies or use a digital template.
Decoration Christmas Bucket List
The decor is the major component of the holidays! Make sure you are ready to get decorating!
92. Decorate the Christmas Tree. This “to-do” should be treated with a little more emphasis. Plan an event around decorating the tree and sharing memories while hanging ornaments.
93. Create a Themed Christmas Tree. Star Wars fan? Barbie lover? Marvel fan? Sports diehard? Time to unleash all of your passion and decorate a themed Christmas tree in honor of your fervor. Find some ideas to jumpstart your creativity.
94. Hang Chrismas lights. Even better make your house look better than the National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Order your lights here.
95. Upgrade Your Christmas House Lights to a Christmas Light Show. Thankfully, technology has greatly approved and you do not need to be an engineer to figure it out. You can pick up this up and quickly set your lights to music.
96. Pick a New Scent for the Holidays. Personally, I like peppermint.
97. Buy Cute Christmas Dish Towels. This is a simple decoration tip from the pros. With this simple purchase, it looks like your house has been staged for the Pinterest perfect Christmas dinner.
Shopping Place for Holiday Activity
Every bucket list has gifts on it, so time to get your shopping done!
98. Create your Christmas Budget List. While this may not be on the top of your list, this is a very important money management tip to master. Learn how to make a Christmas budget that works for you.
99. Shop for Christmas Gifts. This is a great time to find gifts for your friends and family. No need to rush, but shop early if possible! Amazon has a ton of gift ideas that are easy on the wallet too! Find a list of the best Christmas gifts under $10 for kids.
100. Purchase Christmas Flowers just for You! Buy some fresh flowers from your local flower shop and enjoy them for the holidays!
101. Wear Christmas socks. Hello, we all love cool socks! Make sure you pick up some new Christmas socks for your holiday collection.
102. Start A Collection. If you are looking for some easy gifts, start a collection that can be added year after year! A few examples include Christmas ornaments, books about Christmas traditions from around the world, and ornaments made out of candy canes.
103. Shop A Christmas Store. Find a Christmas Store; they are worth a visit if you want to get into the holiday spirit! They have everything from traditional nutcrackers to more unique items like Santa toilet paper holders. No matter what your interests are, these specialty stores have something for everyone.
104. Give Money Creatively. Did you know you could give money besides just writing a check? There are over 45 different money gift ideas for you.
Christmas Bucket List for Family Activities
Entertaining the kids is a must! Thankfully there are so many things to do.
Plus you can see the magic of the season through their eyes!
105. Write a Letter to Santa. This needs to be done in the first part of December in time to reach the North Pole.
106. Make Reindeer Food. Fruit and vegetables make a great snack for the reindeer, so it’s easy to do this activity with your kids. You can also experiment with adding different spices into the mix such as cinnamon or nutmeg.
107. Watch the Holiday Funny Movie Marathon. This is a fun way to spend a cold or hot day. Pick out some of your favorite hilarious movies and get cozy in front of the TV! Laugh til you drop!
108. Make Winter Slime. Yes, every kids LOVES slime and what is better than just slime… WINTER SLIME! Pick up Iceberg Frozen Winter Slime for your kid’s Christmas Party.
109. Host a Kid’s Christmas Party. This is something we have done every year is to host a kid’s Christmas party. It is a simple and festive way to share in the Christmas season. Provide some simple Christmas crafts, hot chocolate (with marshmallows of course), and easy snacks.
110. Sing Christmas Carols. This is a fun family activity that will make you feel festive!
111. Visit Santa. This is an old-fashioned tradition that never gets old. Visit Santa and find out if you have been naughty or nice!
112. Make Paper Snowflakes. This activity is a must for kids. Simple and easy to make. Plus they will get lost in the activity for hours! Find paper snowflake ideas.
113. Make Rudolph Pancakes. One easy way to make your Christmas bucket list more fun is by adding some creative and festive tasks to ordinary things like making pancakes.
114. Talk to Santa Claus. It’s hard to believe, but there are actually people who talk to Santa every year and make sure he has everything he needs for Christmas Eve. You can talk to him on the phone or online, and it’s a great way for your kids to get in touch with their inner child.
115. Go for a Christmas Scavenger Hunt. This is a great family activity that will have your kids having fun and learning at the same time. You can make it as easy or as hard for them to complete, depending on their age.
116. Make a Christmas wish list and check it twice. Have the kids pick out gifts they would like for themselves as well as give to others.
117. Have a Holiday Movie Night with your Friends and Family. Make some popcorn, grab your favorite movie, and cuddle up on the couch for an evening of laughter!
Holiday Bucket List to Help Others
You don’t have to be a millionaire philanthropist to help others in your community. You can make a difference by doing small things that will go unnoticed, but still, provide assistance for those who need it.
118. Participate in Random Acts of Kindness. This is a fun way to do something nice for someone else this Christmas. It’s also a great opportunity to practice your own “random acts of kindness” you want to give back in the new year.
119. Polar Plunge: A Fun and Festive Way to Help Others. Create a team of people who will pledge money for every degree the temperature drops below freezing! Make sure to follow through and take the polar plunge!
120. Donate to a Food Bank. Make a donation to your local food bank or homeless shelter in order to help those who are less fortunate during this time of year. This is a perfect way to help those in need in the wintertime and continue the tradition year round!
121. Be Someone’s Secret Santa. This is a fun and heartwarming tradition that works well for your whole family. It’s simple, too: just give out the names of people you would like to be Santa Claus for in December and tell them not to let the person know who you are.
122. Donate Toys. There are a ton of organizations that accept donations of toys or other items. Find the best charities to donate your old toys and help those in need this holiday season!
123. Make a Financial Contribution to a Nonprofit. Most nonprofits receive the majority of their financial donations in the last months of the year. Maybe see if you could make it a part of your biweekly budget and give more often.
124. Visit the Animal Shelter for a pet adoption event. It’s not just cats and dogs that need homes on Christmas Eve! Many of our furry friends are forgotten about this time of year. Stop by a local animal shelter.
125. Adopt a Family for Christmas. If you’re not into the whole Santa Claus thing, why not take it upon yourself to give back to the community? Adopt a family for Christmas by purchasing gifts, food, and necessities that they might not otherwise have. There are many families in need this time of year and it’s truly an act of love and kindness to give back in this way.
126. Give the gift of music. If you’re a musician or know someone who is, offer to play at a nursing home or assisted living facility on Christmas Eve. If you’re not a musician, sponsor the music of a local choir or orchestra.
127. Give the Gift of a Smile. Visit an elderly neighbor and say hi. Smile to the person behind you in line. It takes more muscles to frown than smile.
128. Pick a Tag from a Giving Tree. Many companies set up a tree with tags of people who are in need. Then, their employees can pick a tag and purchase the selected item.
129. Baking for Others: A Fun Way to Help Others. Bake for someone in your neighborhood and donate the ingredients to an organization that feeds people in need!
130. Pray for Peace and Happiness. Don’t stop praying during these hard times. Pray for peace, happiness and prosperity around the world.
Something Else for Holiday Bucket List Items
These are the ones that are still awesome ideas but don’t fit in the above categories!
131. Empty your Christmas Schedule. This is a great way to destress, especially if you have been stressing about your holiday season.
132. Start Dreaming About Your New Year’s Resolutions. This one is my favorite! I love rolling over to a new year with fresh dreams.
133. Grab your Yearly Planner before January 1st. Yes! Especially with supply chain issues, I recommend getting your yearly planner in advance. Here is the current yearly planner I use.
134. Create Your Own Advent Calendar. It’s easy to create your own advent calendar. Use a simple white board and some markers to create your own countdown to Christmas.
Christmas Bucket List for Couples
These are the top 10 ideas from above just for couples!
Ice Skating at Night
Kiss Under the Mistletoe
Go on a Sleigh Ride
Romantic Movie Night
Catch a Snowflake on Your Tongue
Enjoy A Fireside Cuddle
Leisurely Stroll on a Snowy Mountain Area
Escape for a Night Away
Volunteer Together
Dream About Your Future
Christmas Bucket List Template
Okay, we gave you TONS OF IDEAS!
There is absolutely no way you can accomplish them all in one Christmas season.
So, here is a template to use to pick your top 25 activities to complete.
If you’re like us then setting up the tree is something that you always look forward to. From decorating the tree, baking cookies, and watching movies under it with your family this Christmas is sure to be a magical time for all of us!
What are some tips for creating an ultimate Christmas bucket list?
There are a few things to keep in mind when creating your ultimate Christmas bucket list.
First, make sure that it includes experiences that you will really enjoy. This is not the time for obligation or duty–the list should be filled with activities that you and your loved ones will love doing together.
Second, try to include a variety of different types of activities, from traveling and vacationing to visiting new places and trying out new experiences.
And finally, don’t forget to add some classic holiday traditions as well!
KEY TIP… Plan Your Day Ahead: What are you going to do tomorrow?
How can you make your Christmas bucket list more meaningful?
When it comes to the holidays, many people want to do as much as they can.
The Christmas bucket list is often a great way to make sure that you’re able to check off all of the items on your wish list. But sometimes, we can become overwhelmed by all of the things that we want to do. This year, consider making your bucket list more meaningful by doing activities that will bring you happiness and joy.
Idea #1 – Be Happy
One way to make your Christmas bucket list more meaningful is by only including activities that truly make you happy.
For example, if decorating the tree or going shopping for presents isn’t really your thing, then don’t put them down as items that you have to do this year! Instead, focus on doing things like baking cookies with loved ones or taking a walk in the snow.
Idea #2 – Spend Time Together
Another way to make your holiday season more special is by spending time together over a fire. Whether you build one in your backyard or take advantage of one at a local park, this is a great opportunity for conversation and reflection.
Consider lighting the fireplace and reading a good book together–or having some deep conversations about what’s been going on in each other’s lives!
Idea #3 – Make an Advent Calendar
Making your own advent calendar is a fun way to get into the Christmas spirit. You can make it as simple or as complex as you want, but the key is to include activities that will get you excited for the holiday season.
For example, one day you might do an act of service for someone else, and on another day you might bake cookies!
Now, start brainstorming ideas with your family and friends.
Idea #4 – Get Prepared
Take time to figure out what kind of holiday experience you want, which helps narrow down the items on your bucket list.
Another way to make your Christmas bucket list more special is by preparing for Christmas Eve the night before. One great idea is to create a box filled with all of the things you’ll need for the following day. This could include pajamas, breakfast foods, and even some presents!
Use the printable to prioritize which activities your family would like to do during the holidays.
Idea #5 – Make it Personal
Finally, why not add a personal touch to your Christmas this year?
Make your list as personal and meaningful to you as possible by only including activities that are important.
Instead of using store-bought wreaths and ornaments, try making them yourself! There are endless possibilities when it comes to homemade decorations, so get creative and have some fun!
This isn’t the time to make your season harder – only what you want to do.
What are some things you can do to make your Christmas bucket list more exciting?
There are many ways to make your Christmas bucket list more exciting!
One way is to add a variety of activities, from festive traditions to outdoor adventures.
You can also mix up the type of activities so that you have something for everyone in the family. Additionally, you can make a point to do new things every year and keep your bucket list updated.
This will help ensure that you have an enjoyable and memorable Christmas season.
What are some tips for making your Christmas bucket list more fun for everyone?
One way to make your Christmas bucket list more fun for everyone is to try and do something that is meaningful and fun for everyone in your family.
This could be anything from spending time by the Christmas tree together, to doing random acts of kindness this holiday season!
A great tip would be to have everyone include their top three ideas that make the family Christmas bucket list.
All in all, you want to start Christmas traditions that the whole family looks forward to each and every year. This may be as simple as starting a new family tradition or making homemade gifts for your friends and neighbors.
Which Holiday Activities do you Need & Love?
So many ideas, right?
Your head may be spinning, but only put the holiday activities on your list that you want to do.
If you’re looking for something special to do this year, consider checking out one of the many Christmas productions around the country. From The Nutcracker to A Christmas Carol, there’s something for everyone.
And don’t forget about all of the amazing light displays – they’re definitely worth seeing!
It’s the most wonderful time of year, so you might as well make your family traditions more exciting by adding some creative tasks to what is normally a boring list of chores.
What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions? I’d love to hear about them!
For more inspiration, check out our Christmas Pinterest board.
Merry Christmas!
Also, it might be time to start thinking about what do I want for Christmas?
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!
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.
Budgeting is not easy!
It can be stressful and complicated to stay on top of your finances.
It takes willpower, discipline, patience—but also creativity and flexibility in order for us to stick with it long enough that we start saving money as well.
A budget binder with envelopes is the perfect tool for keeping everything organized.
With this very simple and easy-to-use tool, you can organize all of your budgets and actual spending for multiple cash envelope categories in one place—all within an envelope that easily fits into a purse or wallet!
The hardest part is finding one that suits your needs.
In fact, 65% of Americans have no ideas how they spent their money last month.
In this post, we are going to review the topic budget binder with envelopes, so you can make a logical decision on what is best for you.
Why you should use a budget binder?
A budget binder is a great way to keep your finances organized. It can help you track your expenses, stay on budget, and save money.
In addition, with budgeting, you reduce your spending and plan for the future.
There are several ways to use a budget binder:
Set spending limits so you can save money
Label envelopes with category names like “groceries” and “dining out.”
Add money to an envelope as you spend it in that category, even if it’s not the last envelope for that category.
If there is leftover money at the end of the month, put it into savings or your emergency fund (or use it next month).
This type of detail will help you stay organized and aware of your spending habits. Learn more on how to create a budget binder.
Are budget binders worth it?
Though budget binders are not a new concept, they are still worth using to help you stay on top of your spending.
By recording where each penny goes, you can more easily track your progress and make necessary adjustments along the way.
Budget binders can be found in both digital and printed formats. They are often sold on Amazon, but they may also be bought online from other sellers like Etsy.
Budget binders are a popular way to stay organized and save money.
What to include in your budget binder
A budget binder is a place where you can keep all of your financial information in one spot–including accounts, receipts, and other important paperwork. This will help you stay up-to-date on your spending and make it easier to track expenses.
There are some key items that you should include in your budget binder so that it’s most effective for you.
It’s also helpful to have a section for current account statements and recent receipts.
When it comes to personal finance, the organization is key.
A great way to get your budget in order is by using a budget binder with cash envelopes. This method is very simple and can be customized to fit your own needs.
If you want to organize your budget in a simple way, then consider using a budget binder with envelopes. This will help you to easily separate your expenses into different categories.
Here are the best budget binders with cash envelopes to choose from.
This budget binder is a great way to organize your finances. It is lightweight and easy to carry, making it convenient for use at home, work, or school.
The A6 size fits easily in your handbag or backpack, and the money pocket and cards holder make it easy to keep your important documents safe and secure.
Additionally, waterproof sticker labels make it easy for you to categorize everything you need to carry with you.
This budget binder is a great way to organize your finances. It comes with money saving envelopes for cash, as well as inserts that can go into the A6 ring binder. You can also carry it with you anywhere thanks to its handy zipped up holders.
This SOUL MAMA A6 Budget Binder with Cash envelopes is the perfect way to budget your money. It comes with pre-printed inserts for saving money, and the color scheme is half holographic purple and half white. The labels are also written in beautiful rose gold font.
The material makes it both quality and tear-resistant, while the waterproof and soft-to-the-touch design keeps your documents safe. Plus, there’s a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so you can be sure that you’re making a sound investment.
This budget binder is a great way to organize your finances. The faux leather binder has a pen loop and card pockets, which are perfect for hiding passports, ID cards, bank cards, and other important things.
Plus, the personalized holographic design will make you feel like a boss!
There are a variety of cash envelope options to help organize your budget. The most common are envelopes for Mortgage/Rent, House bills, Car payments, Car insurance, and Groceries. You can find specialized envelopes or create your own system.
Label each envelope with the name of the category and the amount you plan to spend each month. When the money is gone, it’s gone!
You can find purchase add-ons with extra envelopes and budget tracking sheets in their shop.
Clever Fox cash envelopes are tear-resistant, water-resistant and durable, making them the perfect option for budgeting.
This Clever Fox cash envelope system is perfect for organizing your budget. The set includes a carrying case, 12 budget sheets, and enough envelopes to track all of your purchases and what you have left to spend. Each envelope has a different color for each budgeting category, so you can stay on top of your spending with ease.
I love the Clever Fox Cash Envelopes for Budget System because of its great features.
The tracker has a zippered storage case to keep everything together and each envelope has a blank category label. When you lift the flap, there’s another label with plenty of space to write down the details! Plus, the quality is fantastic and I love how they include purchase trackers with every set.
Recently, I stumbled upon this super cute budget book that is perfect for organizing your finances.
This A6 budget binder comes with a customized cash envelope system, which will help you stay on track with your budget.
You can choose the color of your binder, the font for your personalization, and the vinyl color. You can also choose to have your name printed on the front of the binder as well as a phrase of your choice.
The quality of the book exceeded my expectations, and the best part is that it’s just so darn cute! If you’re looking for a custom budget binder, I would highly recommend this one.
This SKYDUE Budget Binder comes with 12 envelopes for cash, which makes it easy to keep track of your budget. The binder also has 16 self-adhesive labels to help you stay organized, and it fits in your handbag, backpack, suitcase, or desk.
In addition, the SKYDUE Budget Binder with 12pcs Cash Envelopes is perfect for college students.
The binder and sleeves are made from durable materials that can withstand wear and tear, while the cash envelopes are a great way to start using the sinking funds saving method. Plus, the pouches are big enough to hold a decent amount of money without being too bulky.
A customized cover is a great way to personalize your budget binder!
This starter set gives you all the basics you need to get started. You can have a maximum of 8 envelopes in your binder for a comfortable fit, but feel free to adjust this number according to your needs.
The binder was well put together and the customer service was amazing. The money was well spent and there are many customers very happy with the final product.
A personalized cash envelope binder is a great way to organize your budget.
You can customize the binder with any name or wording in any font color! The set includes a binder and 5 personalized cash envelopes.
This is a great way to start budgeting and get your finances under control.
This cash envelope wallet is perfect for budgeting. It has RFID blocking to keep your cash safe and a heavy duty wristlet to make sure it stays with you.
There are 12 cash envelopes included so you can get started right away, and the vertical design of the envelope makes it easy to add and remove bills or track your spending.
Personally, I like the plastic tabbed cash envelopes because they are durable and small enough to be taken out of my planner system without getting squished. The vertical orientation is easier to see, which helps me keep track of how much money I have left in each category.
In addition, this binder comes with access to a library of 50+ A6 printable pages. There are 12 monthly budget sheets included helping you build your budget and get organized. With this system, you can take control of your finances and see where your money is going.
This budget binder from TNHomegrowndesigns is a great way to start organizing your finances. It includes everything you need to get started, including cash envelopes and a money holder. The cash envelope system is a simple way to budget your money, and this binder makes it easy to do.
You can choose the color and number of envelopes you want, as well as have it customized with your name. This is a great way to organize your budget in a simple way.
Budget Binders with Envelopes DIY
If you’re looking for a low-cost option to organize your finances, consider using a DIY budget binder with envelopes.
This approach allows you to maintain control over your spending even during income fluctuations. Plus, by using airtight plastic bags to store the envelopes, you can save money on buying new folders!
How do you make a budget binder with envelopes?
Honestly, it is just as easy to create your own budget binder as it is to buy one pre-made.
Here are the supplies you need:
The benefits of making your own are personal customization and adding what is important to your personal situation.
For more information, learn how to create a budget binder.
How to organize your budget in a simple way
There are a few different ways to organize your budget:
Income and Expenses: This is probably the most common way to organize a budget. It separates your income from your expenses, so you can see how much money you have coming in and going out.
Fixed and Variable Expenses: This way of organizing a budget separates your fixed expenses, like your rent or car payment, from your variable expenses, like your grocery bill. This can be helpful in seeing where you spend money.
There are a few different ways to organize your budget, but we think starting with a zero based budget is best.
How much money do you save with the envelope system?
The envelope system is a popular way to budget and helps people save money faster.
It works by allocating specific amounts of money to each category of expense and putting that money into an envelope. When the envelope is empty, you can’t spend any more money in that category. This helps people stay within their budget and avoid overspending.
If you need to save money on a tight budget, then the envelope system is helpful.
In fact, many people have had great success with saving over $5000 using the 100 envelope challenge.
Tips for sticking to your budgeting system
When it comes to sticking to your budget, there are a few things you can do to make it easier.
For starters, don’t spend more than you can afford.
If you have debts or other expenses, make sure you factor those into your budget as well.
Also, be sure to set realistic goals and limits for yourself- if you try to cut back too much, you’re likely to give up before you even start.
At the same time, don’t be afraid to experiment a little bit and try new things with the money you have. Just because something is outside of your budget doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it sometimes!
By being smart about how you spend your money, you can stick to your budget without feeling too restricted.
Which Budget Binder with Cash Envelopes is your Favorite?
A budget binder is a great way to organize your finances and keep track of where your money is going.
Cash envelopes help to visually budget your money. You can use them to plan and budget for what you are going to spend each week or month. This will help you stay on track with your finances and change your future for the better.
In this system, you will have separate envelopes for each category of your budget, such as rent, groceries, and utilities. This will help you track your spending and stay within your budget by paycheck method.
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!