When it comes to home design, we’ve all decorated with a trend or two that we wish we could forget (anyone remember pistachio-colored kitchens?). But we’ve also discovered trends that have turned into classic finishes that are here to stay. (Looking at you, marble!) With that said, while trends come and go, it’s always fun to forecast what’s going to be hot in the new year. And as with the “never dress in a trend from head-to-toe” fashion rule, the same applies to home decor. It’s never wise to outfit an entire house in them, but sprinkle in a trend here and there for an updated look. From embracing bold hues to incorporating textured wallpapers, 2024 looks to be a colorful year. Four designers weigh in on what you’re sure to see inside beautiful homes around Dallas this year.
Trend: Working pantries
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More and more, new home builds and renovations are including a spot for a working pantry, which is a larger walk-in version with storage and prep space. “Adding countertops, outlets and space to prep in pantries bring an added layer of function to the home and can help achieve a mess-free kitchen space while entertaining,” says Hayden Dendy, designer for BRNS Design, a multidisciplinary architecture and design firm.
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Designer Kara Adam, owner of Kara Adam Interiors, is also urging her clients to consider adding a working pantry to their floor plans. Not only is it practical, but it’s another opportunity to have fun with design. “Pantries are no longer a closet with white shelves,” she says. “They are gorgeous and they’re functional. Design them with pretty countertops, tile and wallpaper, or paint them a fun color. They are truly treated as a room now, not just a closet. This will be budgeted into more and more of my clients’ projects.” She suggests storing appliances that take up space in the kitchen such as coffee makers, blenders and toasters. “They can also be plumbed with a sink or ice machine. Basically all of the things that are noisy or unattractive, so that your kitchen remains a pretty space,” she says.
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Trend: Saturated color
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“This year we are going to see homeowners being more adventurous with color,” says Danielle Frazier, co-owner and principal designer of interior design studio Twilly & Fig. “When you saw the trends go towards gray and neutrals and cooler tones, people lost that richness and connection to color. They are starting to feel that void and want to be more playful with color.” Within that, Frazier notes that spaces will continue to see monochromatic use of color, particularly with moody hues. She says she’s seeing an increase in purple spaces, as well. “We just did a living room in a grayish plum that is really rich. It’s a color you don’t hear a lot about now, but you’ll start to see it more,” she says. She suggests trying Benjamin Moore’s “Hazy Lilac” as a way to introduce the trending palette. Aside from the walls, Frazier also notes that homeowners are starting to ask for colorful pieces like rugs, sofas and wallpaper as well. “I think people are willing to take a risk with color on more investment pieces than they have in the past,” she says.
Adam agrees that the neutral all-white look is starting to fade. “In 2024, few people are going to ask for that,” she says. “People want a cozier environment rich in color. Even formal spaces are looking less formal because of the rich color. It draws you in and makes a space scream ‘come hang out in here,’” she says.
Trend: Mixing and matching genres
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As the neutral palette starts to fade, so does the matchy-matchy interior that looks more like a catalogue than a personalized lived-in space. “Our clients are craving an element in their design and in their homes that have a soulfulness to them,” Frazier says. “For instance, we’ve been designing a kitchen with custom handmade tiles on the backsplash. We’re finding that people are wanting to add depth, character and personality through handmade pieces and antiques.” She suggests shopping estate sales and local antique stores for hidden gems or planning a road trip to one of Round Top’s antique show weeks for one-of-a-kind finds.
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“We always encourage and push clients to embrace the unexpected,” adds Adam. “Mixing a contemporary piece with an antique will make an environment that is pleasing to the eye.”She also urges clients to purchase art, which personalizes a home even more. She suggest that her clients buy works that speaks to them, rather than what “matches” their interiors. “Your home is an expression of you,” she says. “Art is very subjective. And, it’s not just decoration anymore. It’s a statement.”
Trend: Bold bars and beverage centers
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“Bars are huge right now,” says Adam. “We have some homes with multiple bars. And much like how powder baths are the jewel box of the home, that’s how bars are going to be too. They will be extremely layered, rich in colors and accessories, and usually have unique countertops.” And thanks to the playful powder bath aesthetic that has been trending for some time, homeowners are craving more of that layered look throughout the home, which is where a bold bar comes in. “It used to be that we’d go into these beautiful, airy light homes and they’ve had this wild powder bath, but now you’re seeing that personality throughout the home,” she says.
Cheers to the new home bar: How to create a modern, multifunctional space
And on that note, Frazier is seeing an increase in beverage centers, which encompasses every drink throughout the day, from breakfast to cocktail hour. “In the past a beverage center was maybe just a coffee bar or a cocktail bar, but now people want them to be multipurposeful, a place where they can make their morning coffee or tea, make a smoothie bowl after a workout or pour a beverage after work.” Most of these areas include a beverage fridge or fridge drawers, a built-in pullout trash can, a wine fridge, a sink, and cabinets for blenders, coffee pots or tea kettles. “It depends on the person, of course, but they are designed for how they want it to function,” she says.
Trend: Cozy spaces
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Homes built in the last decade mostly feature open-concept floor plans, which usually include an open family room, kitchen and breakfast nook. But Adam is hoping to design cozier spaces in the next year. “No one wants to relax in their family room when they are sitting on the sofa and behind them is the kitchen,” she says. Dirty dishes, a pot of soup on the stove or clutter on the countertops does not create for a relaxing space. “Creating separation is good for your mental health,” she says. “You can step away from it and go back and clean it up later.” Plus, when a space is large and open, there is no breaking point for a designer to do something playful and fun on the walls or molding. “When it’s one huge space, it’s a lot harder to upholster or lacquer a wall,” she explains.
Her clients are also asking for game rooms. “We can’t do enough of them,” she says. “We are redoing spaces so that people can have a mahjong room. In our home we have a table built for mahjong, but when it’s not set up for that, we always have a puzzle out, too. Work on a puzzle for 20 minutes and it’s good for your brain and it slows things down. Then you can go back to running around or going to carpool,” she says.
Trend: Textured and printed wallpaper
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Wallpaper has been trending for some years now, and it’s still holding strong in 2024, especially selections that boast texture, bold patterns and fabric. “In 2023, we launched our first wallpaper collection with Ever Atelier, Ever X Yates, and it led us to experiment with wall coverings in new ways. For example, new construction ceilings are typically much taller nowadays, and implementing wallpaper can help weigh it down and feel more proportional,” says Bryan Yates, principal designer of Yates Desygn. “In addition, we are currently framing three panels of a de Gournay print to work as a 9-foot-by-9-foot piece of art and create a more significant moment in a client’s dining space rather than using traditional panels as a series.”
Adam notes that adding the right wallpaper to a space helps to evoke a mood, too. “People are wanting texture as opposed to a super flat, quiet space. For instance, when you’re having a dinner party in a dining room covered in cool silk wallpaper, it makes people want to stay. We want our clients to have dinner parties that go on all night,” she says.
Imagine this: After spending 12 long years of education, it’s finally time to head to college. But hang on, because there’s a catch — tuition is much higher than you thought, and the school didn’t offer an academic scholarship.
One alternative for students can be to find a non-academic scholarship and keep pushing toward that dream. Here are tips on finding non-academic scholarships to help pay for a college education.
What Is a Non-Academic Scholarship?
Scholarships are one type of financial aid available to students that don’t need to be repaid and are typically awarded based on merit — that is, being especially knowledgeable or skilled in one area. Grants, which also do not need to be repaid, are typically awarded based on need and not based on academic or athletic merit. For example, Pell Grants are federal grants awarded to undergraduate students who exhibit exceptional financial need.
Scholarships can be awarded for many different reasons, including academic achievement. However, just because someone isn’t an A+ student doesn’t mean they can’t qualify for a scholarship. There are non-academic scholarships that are based on athletic or artistic achievement, community involvement, extracurricular activities, and more. Students may just need to put in a bit of legwork to find ones they qualify for and apply.
Recommended: Finding Free Money for College
Where to Find Non-Academic Scholarships
Often, the first step in getting a scholarship is to find it. Here are a few places to start your search.
School Counselor’s Office
High school students can check in with their high school counselor to see about any non-academic scholarship they may know about. The office may have a list of options available to students, and, because they may know the student, their skills, and their future aspirations, they may be able to hone in on the right scholarship for them.
School counselors may also have helpful information on navigating the financial aid process. One piece of the funding puzzle may be undergraduate loans if scholarships don’t cover all of the costs. Students may consider private student loans after exhausting federal aid, including federal student loans. This comprehensive private student loan guide dives into more detail.
College Admissions Website
If a high school student has already been accepted to school, they may check in with the college’s admission website. There, they could find a list of potential scholarships offered directly by the school. Students should also reach out directly to the admissions office or future academic counselors for assistance.
As the school year nears, you may consider checking in with your college’s financial aid office to see if they can guide you to unclaimed scholarships.
Scholarship Listing Websites
There are several scholarship search tools out there that roundup available scholarships to students, including destinations like FastWeb or CollegeBoard. Here, students can sift through hundreds of available scholarships and find help with the application process, as well.
Professional Associations and Clubs
Another place to find scholarships includes professional associations and clubs, such as churches, your parent’s employers, local businesses, minority groups, and more.
A quick Google search on professional organizations in your chosen field of study can lead to scholarships, too. Most are free to join and include fields such as marketing, engineering, graphic arts, law, and more.
Friends and Family
Sure, it may not seem as obvious, but merely asking around for scholarship opportunities can’t hurt. Students should reach out to their network and let everyone know they are on the hunt for financial assistance. Someone may know of a specific scholarship that could be the perfect fit for the student.
Connect With the Community
Explore connections with local religious groups, business, and other organizations. Having an existing connection can potentially improve an applicant’s chances of securing a scholarship. Plus, students may face less competition when they apply for more local scholarships. 💡 Quick Tip: Fund your education with a low-rate, no-fee SoFi private student loan that covers all school-certified costs.
Types of Non-Academic Scholarships
Need a little help thinking about what type of non-academic scholarship may fit? Here are a few types of scholarship ideas to get students started.
Talents
Have a unique talent? There’s probably a scholarship available for it. For example, you can find scholarships for duck calling, dancing, drawing, and much more.
Athletics
Each year, there are more than 180,000 athletic scholarships awarded to students. Scholarships are available for a wide variety of sports to both men and women, including volleyball, tennis, swimming & diving, skiing, lacrosse, golf, fencing, and more.
Heritage
Students may also find non-academic scholarships based on their heritage. Students from minority groups may find additional opportunities, including scholarships for African American or Hispanic students.
Some scholarships may be available through churches, while others can be found on websites like College Board. There, students of various backgrounds can search for a suitable match.
Interests
Students can apply to non-academic scholarships based on their various interests, too. For example, those interested in cars can apply for the National Corvette Club scholarship. Those students that love to cook can apply for the AAC Culinary Scholarships for High School Seniors .
Know a student who spends their Sundays completing The New York Times crossword puzzle in pen? Have them apply to the Crossword Hobbyist Crossword Scholarship . No matter the interest, odds are there is a scholarship out there for it.
Area of Study
Future and current college students may be able to find a scholarship that suits their future area of study. Students hoping to become their own CEOs can apply for The National Association for the Self-Employed ’s Future Entrepreneur Scholarships, which helps promote “entrepreneurial thinking among aspiring business students.”
Again, if there’s an area of study, odds are there’s a scholarship available for it.
Area Code
Students looking for a non-academic scholarship can search for regional scholarships on many online databases. SoFi runs a state-by-state grant and scholarship database, so you can take a look at what is available in your area.
Other sources for regional or location-based scholarships may include local nonprofits and businesses.
Other, Outlandish Options
There are scholarships available for less obvious reasons, too. One of the more famous wacky scholarships is the Stuck at the Prom Scholarship Contest sponsored by Duck brand duct tape. Each year, the company awards a $5,000 scholarship to a teen who designs and wears a dress or tuxedo made out of their duct tape.
How to Get a Non-Academic Scholarship
There are thousands of non-academic scholarships available each year. In order to get a non-academic scholarship, you should first look for scholarships in line with your talents and career interests. From there, you can look to local businesses, friends and family, and your community to find other non-academic scholarships.
And finally, do a Google search for non-academic scholarships you think you may qualify for. There are scholarships available for almost every type of person and every interest, including scholarships for minorities, scholarships for people who dance, religious scholarships, first-generation scholarships, and more.
Tips for Finding & Applying for Non-Academic Scholarships
If you’re hoping to find and apply for non-academic scholarships to help pay for college, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of getting one.
Start Early
Starting your search early is one of the best things you can do to land a scholarship. Since many scholarships come from the school you’re attending, it’s recommended to fill out the FAFSAⓇ as soon as possible. Some grants and scholarships offered by schools are on a first-come, first-served basis.
It’s also a good idea to start your search early so you can make sure you can meet all the deadlines for the scholarships you hope to apply for. Many will require essays, and the sooner you know which scholarships you want to apply for, the sooner you can get your essays completed and submitted.
Read the Fine Print
Make sure to read the fine print of all scholarship applications. This will ensure you won’t miss any deadlines or important information regarding the scholarship.
Showcase Your Personality
When applying for scholarships and writing essays, it’s important to showcase your personality through your written word. Most non-academic scholarships are fun, so feel free to express yourself and make it so your application stands out from the rest.
Proofread Your Application
Proofreading your application is a great way to catch any grammar errors or application mistakes prior to submission. If it comes down to you and one other candidate, you don’t want to miss out because of easy grammatical errors you could have caught by simply proofreading your application beforehand.
Don’t Give Up
And finally, keep searching and applying for scholarships until you receive the amount of money you’re hoping for. Scholarships can be competitive, so don’t get down on yourself if you’re struggling to get one. Instead, keep the momentum going by continually searching and applying for new opportunities as they arise.
The Takeaway
Non-academic scholarships can be awarded based on talent, skill, interest, and more. Some scholarships may even be regional or location based. To find non-academic scholarships, consult with your guidance counselor, your college’s financial aid office, local business and nonprofits, and online scholarship databases.
If scholarships and federal financial aid aren’t enough to cover college costs, private student loans can help fill in the gaps.
If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.
Cover up to 100% of school-certified costs including tuition, books, supplies, room and board, and transportation with a private student loan from SoFi.
SoFi Private Student Loans Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs.
SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.
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.
External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.
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Deciphering annual rent hikes so you don’t have to.
Embarking on the journey of a renter involves more than just finding a comfortable living space; it requires a nuanced understanding of the factors influencing the annual ritual of rent increases. As you navigate the rental landscape with a wealth of experience, delving into the intricacies behind why rent consistently rises becomes essential.
Why does rent increase every year?
Before we dive into the intricacies of annual rent increases, it’s crucial to understand the fundamental factors that typically govern the calculation of rent prices. Rent is generally determined by a combination of market forces, property-specific considerations and the financial goals of landlords. Market dynamics play a pivotal role, with supply and demand influencing rental rates in a given area.
According to The Rent Report, for the month of December, rent was actually down .57% month-over-month and also down 2.09% year-over-year. Just because these numbers reflect a downward trend in rent prices, doesn’t mean rent increases are unlikely.
Landlords or property managers take into account various costs associated with property ownership, such as property taxes, insurance, maintenance and utilities, to ensure that rent covers these expenses while allowing for a reasonable return on investment.
Property upgrades and amenities also contribute to the perceived value of a rental unit, influencing its rental price. Understanding this holistic approach to rent calculation provides a foundation for comprehending why rent adjustments occur annually, particularly for renters familiar with the cyclical nature of the rental market.
Market dynamics
The delicate dance between supply and demand, coupled with economic factors, significantly impacts landlords’ and property managers’ decisions to adjust rental prices. For the seasoned renter, gaining insight into local market trends, economic indicators and neighborhood developments is crucial for anticipating and responding to annual rent adjustments.
Property upgrades and maintenance
Renters recognize that maintaining and upgrading rental properties is an ongoing process. Property maintenance continually invests in enhancing the value of their assets through renovations, repairs and the integration of modern amenities.
As a renter, there should be a balance of understanding and appreciating the correlation between these property enhancements and the incremental uptick in rent. Understanding the motivations behind such improvements provides a nuanced perspective on the annual cost of living adjustments.
Operating costs
Behind the scenes, property management incurs a myriad of operational costs, including property taxes, insurance and utilities. Renters who have rentended many a time before, understand that rent adjustments often mirror the rising operational expenses faced by landlords.
Inflation’s influence
The impact of inflation on everyday expenses is a familiar concept, and rent is no exception. As the cost of living rises, landlords are compelled to raise the rent prices to align with economic realities. Dive into the broader economic context by exploring inflation rates and their implications on the housing market across different regions. Take a look at the handy chart below to see just how rents are changing regionally and nationally.
Regional and National Rent Asking Rent Changes Over Time
Understanding the variables in annual rent adjustments
In the dynamic landscape of rental housing, the expectation of an annual rent increase is not universal, but it is a possibility influenced by various factors previously discussed. Market conditions, property improvements and operating costs are among the key contributors to rental adjustments.
While some renters may experience consistent year-over-year increases, others may find their rents stabilize for extended periods. The predictability of rent hikes often hinges on regional market trends and the individual strategies of landlords. Tenants can mitigate surprises by staying informed about local housing markets, understanding the terms of their lease agreements and being aware of the legal parameters governing rent adjustments in their area.
Proactive communication with landlords can also play a role in negotiating reasonable terms that align with both parties’ expectations. Ultimately, while annual rent increases are a reality for some, the frequency and magnitude depend on a combination of external factors and the particulars of the lease agreement.
Legal considerations
If you’re a veteran renter, you most likely understand that the legality of rent increases is a crucial aspect of the renters process. Landlords must adhere to local and state laws when adjusting rent prices, and awareness of these regulations empowers renters to navigate the rental landscape confidently. In many jurisdictions, landlords are generally allowed to increase rent, but the specific rules vary. For month-to-month leases, there are often legal limitations on how much landlords can raise rent.
Familiarize yourself with the tenant protection laws in your area, as they may stipulate the frequency and maximum percentage by which rent can be increased. Understanding your rights as a tenant ensures you can advocate for fair and legal rent adjustments during lease negotiations.
Negotiation strategies as a renter
Armed with a deep understanding of market dynamics, property upgrades, operating costs and inflation, there are ways to approach lease negotiations with confidence. We recommend keeping a track record of being a good tenant so you have the opportunity to present your case against rent increases should a property manager raise rent to a price you’re uncomfortable with.
If you’ve consistently paid your rent punctually and exhibited good conduct with no noise complaints, the landlord may find the advantages of retaining you outweigh the prospect of additional income. Enhance your proposal by suggesting an extended lease duration, perhaps opting for a two-year commitment to show your value to the property.
Remember to keep the communication open and transparent to reach a mutually beneficial agreement that acknowledges the value you bring as a long-term, reliable tenant.
If you’re worried about increased rent with your current lifestyle, utilize a rent calculator to determine what you’re able to truly afford.
Navigating the rental landscape with expertise
In a renter’s journey, the annual rent increase is not merely a routine occurrence but a multifaceted puzzle to solve. By delving into the world of the rental market, you elevate your ability to navigate the rental landscape with astuteness and finesse. Stay informed, negotiate wisely and ensure that your experience as a renter remains both enriching and economically sound.
If you’re still on the hunt for the perfect rental property, search available properties with Rent. to find the best home for you.
Wesley is a Charlotte-based writer with a degree in Mass Communication from the University of South Carolina. Her background includes 6 years in non-profit communication and 4 years in editorial writing. She’s passionate about traveling, volunteering, cooking and drinking her morning iced coffee. When she’s not writing, you can find her relaxing with family or exploring Charlotte with her friends.
When you think about retirement planning, you may feel like you’re doing alright, especially if you’re contributing part of your monthly paycheck to your employer-sponsored 401(k) plan. You may even have visions of growing old by the ocean or tapping into your Bohemian side with some global travel.
But to truly live the retired life you dream of, rather than scraping the bottom of your savings accounts, you need to be well-prepared. While a 401(k) is a great start, there are other tools you can take advantage of to diversify and maximize your retirement savings.
That’s where a Roth IRA comes in.
This tax-friendly retirement account can not only bolster your retirement money but can also help relieve your future tax burden. An IRA does come with a few rules attached to it, plus some eligibility requirements. However, when used wisely, it can really work to your advantage when it comes time to retire.
We’ll take you step-by-step through everything you need to know to make sure you qualify and how to use a Roth IRA to its fullest.
What is a Roth IRA?
A Roth IRA (Individual Retirement Account) is a type of retirement savings account that allows you to save and invest money for retirement on a tax-advantaged basis.
Contributions to a Roth IRA are made with after-tax dollars, meaning you cannot claim a tax deduction for the money you contribute. However, once the money is in the account, it can grow tax-free, and you can withdraw it tax-free in retirement.
This can be extremely beneficial because the money you contribute to a Roth IRA should grow (ideally substantially) between when you put cash in and when you start to take it out. But since you pay income taxes on it the first time around, you don’t have to do it again, even though the amount is larger.
You get to pick the investments in which to place your Roth IRA funds, such as:
How does a Roth IRA work?
A Roth IRA comes with many tax benefits, which is why it’s so popular these days. Even if you have a 401(k), it’s a great tax-advantaged addition to your retirement plan. And if you’re self-employed or don’t have a 401(k) at work, it’s a good start to investing for your retirement goals.
Here’s how a Roth IRA works:
Eligibility: To be eligible to contribute to a Roth IRA, you must have earned income and your income must fall below certain thresholds.
Contributions: You can contribute up to a certain amount each year to a Roth IRA, depending on your age and income. Contributions are made with after-tax dollars and are not tax-deductible.
Investment options: You can invest the money in your Roth IRA in a variety of ways, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Tax benefits: Earnings on your investments grow tax-free, and you can withdraw your contributions and earnings tax-free in retirement as long as you meet certain conditions.
Withdrawals: You can withdraw your contributions to a Roth IRA at any time without penalty. However, you may owe taxes and a penalty if you withdraw your earnings before you reach age 59 1/2 and have not held the account for at least five years.
Roth IRAs can be a valuable tool for saving for retirement, especially for people who expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement than they are now.
How much can you contribute to a Roth IRA?
As long as you meet certain income requirements (which we’ll discuss shortly), you can contribute up to $6,000 a year to your Roth IRA. That number jumps to $7,000 if you’re at least 50 years old, helping you catch up financially and get ready faster as you approach retirement.
Plus, there are no minimum Roth IRA contribution limits when you turn 70 ½. So, you can use your Roth IRA as a way to provide your family with an inheritance.
Ready to retire early? A Roth IRA can help.
You can start making tax-free and penalty-free IRA withdrawals before you reach the traditional retirement age because you’ve already paid taxes. However, you have to pay taxes and potentially penalty fees on your earnings if you withdraw those early.
Plus, Roth IRAs aren’t just for retirement.
You can also use your funds for qualified education expenses without having to pay penalties or taxes. So, you can help pay for your own or your child’s college tuition, just as you would with a 529 plan (or in addition to it).
Although there are contribution limits, you get a lot of flexibility when you choose a Roth IRA. And when you have financial goals at any stage of life, flexibility is key.
What’s the difference between a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA?
If you’re at all familiar with retirement terminology, you may have heard of an IRA before. But there are a few key differences between a Roth IRA and a traditional IRA.
The most significant difference is when you pay your taxes. Unlike Roth IRAs, a traditional IRA allows you to take a tax deduction the year you actually contribute. So if you’re attempting to drop into a lower tax bracket or lower your overall tax payment, your traditional IRA contribution can help you do that.
Of course, there’s a catch.
When you start to take withdrawals when you retire, you’ll have to pay taxes on the full amount — including your earnings. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
If you’re established in your career and already earn a lot of money, you may expect your annual income to drop when you retire. You’re probably not going to withdraw your entire balance at once, so your tax rate might not be that high compared to where you are now.
Minimum Distributions
Speaking of making withdrawals from your account, you have to start taking the required minimum distributions once you hit the age of 70 ½. The minimum amount is based on a formula from the IRS comparing your age to your life expectancy.
If you want to take out funds from traditional IRAs before you reach the age of 59½, you’ll have to pay a 10% penalty on top of your income tax.
Still, like most investments, it’s good to have a diverse mix of products to help you now and in the future. You may want to consider having both a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA, particularly if you want to start lowering your annual federal tax burden.
Tax-Free Distributions
You must have a Roth IRA account opened for 5 tax years to be able to take any distributions, including earnings, that are tax-free. Furthermore, you are only eligible to take tax-free distributions for death or disability, after age 59-1/2, or for a first-time home purchase.
Roth IRA Eligibility Requirements
Unfortunately, there are restrictions on opening a Roth IRA, particularly for high-income earners. Depending on how much you make, you may be restricted on how much you can contribute, or you may not be able to make any contributions at all. Furthermore, you can only contribute earned income to a Roth IRA.
So, where do cutoffs start?
Single Tax Filer
Let’s look at single tax filers first.
For single tax filers and heads of household, you’re allowed to make the maximum contribution if you earn no more than $146,000. You can contribute a reduced amount if you earn more than $146,000, but less than $161,000. If you earn $161,000 or more, however, you can’t make any Roth IRA contributions.
Joint Tax Filer
Now let’s take a look at those married filing jointly.
You can make the maximum contribution if you earn up to $230,000 and a reduced amount if you earn between $$230,000 and $240,000. Once your annual income reaches $240,000 or more, you’re not eligible to contribute anything. Your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is what is used to determine IRA eligibility.
Depending on your anticipated income track over the course of your career, it may be worth opening a Roth IRA as soon as possible. That way, you can ensure that you contribute as much as possible while you still meet the requirements. You also give your investments as much time as possible to grow and compound before you’re ready to make withdrawals.
And since you can use a Roth IRA for a greater range of purposes than other types of retirement accounts, you give yourself greater financial flexibility in the future. It isn’t just about setting up a contribution each year and forgetting about it until you retire. Instead, a Roth IRA can be an active part of your near-term and long-term financial plans, like going back to school or retiring early.
How to Open a Roth IRA
Just about anywhere you conduct your financial business, whether it’s at a bank, credit union, online broker, or even a robo-advisor. Compare your options to make sure you’re getting low fees and good customer service.
Check for mutual funds with no transaction fees and ETFs that are commission-free. Some financial brokers still charge high prices for these fees. So, it’s important to make sure that you’re choosing one who will save you money in the long run. After all, those fees can really start to add up over decades of managing your Roth IRA.
Most brokers also allow you to rollover other accounts into your IRAs (both traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs). If this is a service you may need somewhere down the road, make sure your IRA broker is sophisticated enough to handle it.
Some robo-advisors, for example, may not accept rollovers. And if you leave a job where you’ve had a 401(k), you’ll want to make sure you have somewhere to put it once you’re gone.
With a bit of research and comparison, you can find a convenient, low-cost way to manage your Roth IRA over the years.
Where to Open a Roth IRA
To open up a Roth IRA, you need to select a brokerage firm. You may be able to do this at a financial institution you already work with, or you could explore other options. Both online and brick-and-mortar banks can serve as a broker. It really depends on where you want to house your investment and the type of fee structure you prefer.
Start with a bank you already use, but don’t be afraid to compare their offerings and fees to other financial institutions. It’s important to maximize your earnings so that you can retire comfortably.
How do you manage a Roth IRA?
What exactly do you need to do once you’ve opened a Roth IRA? You want to start by making contributions. You can roll over funds from a traditional 401(k) or traditional IRA, but you’ll be required to pay taxes on that money, so make sure you can handle that extra financial burden.
For 2024, you can still make a contribution to your Roth IRA for the previous year until the tax filing deadline of the following year. For instance, if you haven’t contributed the maximum amount to your Roth IRA by December 31, 2023, you have until the federal tax filing deadline in 2024 to make your contribution for 2023. The specific date of the tax filing deadline can vary each year, so it’s important to check the exact deadline for 2024.
Once you start funding your Roth IRA, it’s time to decide how you want to invest that money, just as you would with any other investment. The type of risk and diversity you select should be based on your own risk tolerance, as well as your age. If you’re in your 20s, you can pick much more aggressive investments than if you’re in your 50s.
For a low-cost approach, experts recommend either index funds or ETFs, which allow you to buy stocks and bonds that track broader markets.
Bottom Line
A Roth IRA can be an effective part of your retirement strategy, particularly considering all the tax advantages that come along with it. For the most effective retirement savings plan, look at all the options available to you. Then, see how each piece fits in the puzzle. As you inch closer and closer to retirement, continually reevaluate how you invest your savings.
For example, if you’re expecting a raise or promotion in the upcoming years that will bump you out of the income range for contributing to a Roth IRA, it may be wise to max out your contributions while you can. If you get a job with an employer that matches your 401(K) contributions, make sure you’re taking full advantage of that perk.
Constant reevaluation is necessary to make sure you’re benefitting from your retirement tools as much as possible. And you want to make sure that you’re taking care of your finances now and in the future. A Roth IRA truly is a favorite because regardless of where you are in life today, you can provide yourself with a lot of room to maneuver around whatever comes in life.
For those who love winter sports and other year-round outdoor recreation, it’s worthwhile to consider Salt Lake City as a potential home. An attractive destination, full of ski resorts and some of the “greatest snow on earth,” the city and its surrounding area provides mass appeal making it worth getting to know.
Even as you’re busy skiing in the winter and hiking through canyons and over mountains in the summer, you do still need to consider whether the cost of living in Salt Lake City will fit into your budget. At 8.4 percent above the national average, it’s one of the more expensive Utah cities, coming in slightly above Provo and almost 10 percent above Ogden.
Although most likely still affordable to most, here’s how the Salt Lake City cost of living breaks down by the most important necessities.
Housing costs in SLC
One of the biggest cost of living areas impacted by the influx in residents to Salt Lake City, Utah, is the real estate market. At 21.8 percent above the national average, prices have increased by almost 6 percent over last year.
The city’s housing costs, overall, are significantly higher than other Utah metros. They’re 10.6 percent above Provo and 25.3 percent above Cedar City. This puts specific apartment averages a little higher as well — a one-bedroom apartment averages around $1,440 per month, up 8 percent since last year, and a two-bedroom apartment averages $1,760 per month, up 5 percent.
Home prices are also on the rise, up 7.7 percent over last year. This increases the median sale price in Salt Lake City to $550,000.
Apartment hunting in Salt Lake City
There are a lot of options when it comes to finding an apartment in the best neighborhoods in Salt Lake City.
People’s Freeway is a popular area just south of Downtown for renters. A one-bedroom apartment in this laidback neighborhood averages out at $2,032 per month. Also attractive, Downtown Salt Lake gives you that urban feel with ample bars, restaurants and parks. Living here though costs you an average of around $1,900 per month for a one bed.
To stick more closely to the citywide average price, consider looking for rentals in Glendale. This neighborhood isn’t far from Downtown, and a one-bedroom rental here averages out at $1,444 per month.
Food costs in Salt Lake City
This city boasts a lot of diversity when it comes to food, offering up a variety of cuisines both in restaurants and at local grocery stores and global markets. Some of the city’s signature items though include fry sauce, the signature condiment of the city, and pastrami burgers. You’ll also get amazing honey from here. Utah is after all, the Beehive State.
Overall, the cost of living here when it comes to groceries is 3.5 percent above the national average. This is less than a one percent increase over last year, which hopefully means food prices haven’t seen too big of a price hike.
As it stands, you can expect to pay around $4.91 for a pound of ground beef and $2.13 for a dozen eggs. If you’re a coffee drinker, grocery store prices come out to about $5.35, while those who love orange juice in the morning will most likely shell out $4.67 for a container. Many of these prices sit on the higher side when compared with other Utah cities.
Utility costs
The only piece to your cost of living puzzle that’s below average are utilities. In Salt Lake City, they’re 6.4 percent below the national average. This is good news since you’ll most likely run your heater pretty hard once it gets cold. It’s common to see temperatures get below freezing for most of the winter.
Averages are also low enough to knock Salt Lake City out of the most expensive Utah city in this category. It’s still on the high end, but you’ll pay more in Cedar City, where costs are 2.1 percent below the national average.
When it comes to your monthly power bills, these averages mean you can expect to pay about $151 per month in utilities in Salt Lake City, and $166 per month in Cedar City.
Transportation costs
Transportation costs in SLC are 13.1 percent above the national average. This means that potentially the best way to save a little on this particular cost of living piece is to mix things up.
If you need to get around by car, remember to take into account the cost of parking. Salt Lake City has meters that average around $2 per hour. There are also plenty of parking garages that vary in cost.
If you’re able to tap into public transportation, TRAX, an electric light rail system, runs three different lines to get you where you need to go. There are the blue, red and green lines moving through 50 stations, including the airport. The city is also part of a comprehensive bus system with more than 120 routes. Seasonal ski service is another form of public transportation you can take advantage of from November/December through March/April.
Fares include the local bus, TRAX and the city’s streetcar. A one-way fare is $2.50, and a day pass is $5. It’s $85 to purchase a monthly pass.
When the weather is nice, you can save on transportation by taking advantage of the fresh air and going about on foot or by bike. Salt Lake City boasts a 67 walk score and a 73 bike score.
Healthcare costs
Paying for healthcare is never an easy line item in your budget. Costs can vary greatly between people based on your own health needs, prescription costs and history. Although the city itself has healthcare costs that are 2.1 percent above the national average, what you pay out-of-pocket won’t always align with averages.
Salt Lake City healthcare costs are the highest in Utah by a significant amount. Most other major cities are below the national average, with the lowest being Cedar City at 10.1 percent below. Even Provo, the closest city in price to Salt Lake, is still 6.5 percent lower than the national average.
This may impact what you pay when you go see your doctor, although this cost is highly dependent on your insurance coverage. If you don’t have insurance though, expect to spend, on average, $121.40 at the doctor, $94.80 at the dentist and $114.19 when seeing the eye doctor. The average spend in prescription medications, without insurance, reaches up to $510.44.
Goods and services costs
The cost of living in Salt Lake City has many moving parts, but one of the best ones is anything in the goods and services category. These are all the extras you work into your monthly budget. Both fun and functional, it’s what you hope to get to do each month, but are also often willing to cut if money gets tight.
Overall, goods and services in Salt Lake City are 2.2 percent above the national average. This is a 2.2 percent decrease over last year. That’s good news, and may mean prices for things like a movie ticket ($12.95), a haircut ($19.40) or even a bottle of wine ($8.99) are going down.
Taxes
When it comes to budgeting for shopping, it’s good to know that Salt Lake City has a 7.75 percent sales tax rate. That means for every $1,000 you spend on furnishing your new apartment, for example, $77.50 will go straight to taxes.
This rate is calculated by combining the 4.85 percent statewide rate with a county tax, city tax and special tax.
Taxes will hit you again when it’s time to file your annual return, however, the state of Utah has a standard income tax rate of 4.85 percent. You pay this no matter your income.
How much do I need to earn to live in Salt Lake City
Setting aside 30 percent of your gross income is one of the best ways to budget for rent. If you align your estimated monthly costs with this number, you should still be able to afford all the other pieces that make up the cost of living in Salt Lake City.
Working backward, if the average one-bedroom apartment here is $1,475, you’d need to earn at least $57,960 a year to make the 30 percent rule work.
This is good news for many residents, where, the median household income is $63,156, slightly higher than what you’d need.
To best figure out how much you can afford in rent, check out our rent calculator to see what you have to work with.
Free things to do in SLC
Being a state capital, the first free activities that come to mind include touring the Utah State Capitol and the Governor’s Mansion. While you can tour the capitol building any day it’s open, the Governor’s Mansion only has tours on the first Wednesday of every month, from 2 to 4 p.m.
The scenic backdrops around Salt Lake City make the parks all over town another freebie that’s extra special. Some favorites to check out include:
Sugar House Park, the largest park in Salt Lake at 110 acres
Liberty Park, one of the shadiest parks in the city
Memory Grove Park, with its Liberty Bell replica
Canyon Rim Park, a popular festival location
Other popular spots in Salt Lake that are also easy on the wallet include the Clark Planetarium. Admission to the exhibits is always free, though you will have to buy tickets if you’re going to see a special film. For a free annual event, check out the Living Traditions Festival each May. This special event celebrates the city’s diverse ethnic communities and traditions.
Living in Salt Lake City
There are so many good reasons leading people to flock to this beautiful Utah city; what will yours be? From its proximity to the mountains and many national parks to its unique culture and young, vibrant vibes, there’s something for everyone here. It’s no wonder Salt Lake is one of the best cities in Utah.
So, if you’re craving a little snow, with plenty of skiing, and want to live in a fun spot that continues to grow and thrive, it’s time to start planning your move to Salt Lake City today.
The Cost of Living Index comes from coli.org.
The rent information included in this summary is based on a calculation of multifamily rental property inventory on Rent. as of November 2022.
Rent prices are for illustrative purposes only. This information does not constitute a pricing guarantee or financial advice related to the rental market.
If you’re financing a home with a mortgage, ensuring you get the best possible rate is one of the smartest financial moves you can make.
While it takes some legwork, the pay off is hard to argue with. Shaving even a fraction of a point from your rate can save you hundreds of dollars each month and tens of thousands over the life of the loan.
For example, with a $400,000 mortgage, dropping from a 7% to a 6.5% rate would save you almost $50,000 in interest over a 30-year term—roughly enough to pay for a year of private college.
Mortgage rates change constantly—and differ across mortgage companies. Here’s how to take advantage of those facts, compare current mortgage rates and get the best deal.
Current mortgage rates: How high are average mortgage rates right now?
WEEK ENDING
AVERAGE 30-YEAR FIXED RATE
AVERAGE 15-YEAR FIXED RATE
Dec. 28, 2023
6.61%
5.93%
Dec. 21, 2023
6.67%
5.95%
Dec. 14, 2023
6.95%
6.38%
Dec. 7, 2023
7.03%
6.29%
Nov. 30, 2023
7.22%
6.56%
Freddie Mac
Mortgage rates continued to cool in December, though averages remain high compared to recent years. According to mortgage-purchaser Freddie Mac, the average rate on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages fell from 7.22% at the start of the month to 6.61% today.
Rates dropped thanks to the Federal Reserve, which indicated cuts to its federal-funds rate—which mortgage rates generally follow—are likely come 2024. “This was a positive for mortgage rates, as we have seen them drop to a several-months low,” says Scott Haymore, who heads up mortgage pricing at TD Bank.
The drop in rates has spurred a modest increase in affordability for homebuyers. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, the average new mortgage payment is now $2,137, down about $60 compared to November.
Still, rates are also a far cry from the record-low of 2.65% that came during the pandemic.
AVERAGE RATE
DATE
Current rate
6.61%
Dec. 28, 2023
This time last year
6.42%
Dec. 29, 20222
Highest point in last decade
7.79%
Oct. 26, 2023
All-time high
18.53%
Oct. 16, 1981
All-time low
2.65%
Jan 7, 2021
Freddie Mac
Where are mortgage rates headed?
Mortgage rates are influenced by many factors, including the economy, investments into mortgage-backed securities, the Treasury bond market, inflation and, perhaps most important in recent years, moves by the Federal Reserve.
Between March 2022 and July 2023, the Fed increased the federal-funds rate—the rate at which banks can borrow money—11 times. And over that period, 30-year mortgage rates jumped from under 4% to over 7%. (To be clear: The Fed doesn’t directly set mortgage rates. Its federal-funds rate and mortgage rates tend to move in the same direction, though.)
The Fed has recently been easing off those rate hikes, opting to keep rates as-is at the last three meetings. If inflation keeps dropping—it fell to 3.1% in November—Fed officials expect to make three potential rate cuts next year, though nothing is set in stone. This would likely mean further drops in mortgage rates, too.
MBA currently projects the average 30-year mortgage rate will fall to 6.1% by the end of 2024. Mortgage purchaser Fannie Mae expects rates to drop to 6.5% by year’s end. Both would be an improvement, but according to Haymore, it won’t do much for overall housing affordability.
“Housing inventory remains low and affordability is an issue for many potential homebuyers,” Haymore says. “Those challenges will continue—even with rates falling.”
How are mortgage rates set?
While the Fed influences mortgage rates, it is only one piece of the puzzle. Other external factors play a role, too—as do the details of your financial situation and loan choice.
Here’s what you need to know about what determines your mortgage rate.
External factors
The overall state of the economy is a big contributor to the path of mortgage rates. When the economy is strong, rates tend to be higher. When the economy sputters, rates drop.
“Interest rates often will rise or fall based on the strength of the economy, and ironically, bad news can be good news for lower interest rates,” says Bill Banfield, an executive at lender Rocket Mortgage.
This is due in part to how economic conditions impact investment activity. When there are geopolitical concerns or the economy is wavering, investors tend to flock to safer investments—which include things such as Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed securities. This pushes the yields on those securities down (yields fall when bond prices rise), taking mortgage rates down with them.
“When there is high demand for mortgage-backed securities, the prices of those MBS increase, which in turn can lower mortgage interest rates,” says Tanya Blanchard, founder of mortgage brokerage Madison Chase Capital Advisors. “This is because investors are willing to accept lower returns on their investments when the prices of MBS are high.”
Finally, inflation factors in, too—and not just because of the Fed reaction. It also increases the costs for lenders to originate loans, which drives their prices higher as well.
Personal factors
Your personal finances will factor into your interest rate as well. First, there’s your credit score. Mortgage lenders use this number to gauge your risk as a borrower—or how likely you are to default on your loan. The lower your score, the higher the rate you’ll need to pay to compensate for the perceived risk.
“Credit score is a very important consideration when applying for a mortgage,” Banfield says. “If someone has a proven track record of being responsible with their finances, they’ll be more likely to get a mortgage and a better rate.”
The size of your down payment is important, too. A larger down payment means you have more to lose, which hopefully discourages you from defaulting. Smaller down payments, on the other hand, mean more risk for the lender and higher rates for you as a result.
Loan-specific factors
Last but not least, the type of mortgage loan you choose will also influence your rate. Loans backed by the government, such as Federal Housing Administration-backed FHA loans and Veterans Affairs-backed VA loans, tend to have lower rates than conventional or jumbo loans since they come with the federal government’s protection. Shorter-term loans (15 years, for example) also have lower rates than longer-term ones (30 years).
As Goodwin explains, “While a shorter-term loan will come with a higher monthly payment, it could save you thousands on interest in the long run.”
How, when and why to compare mortgage rates from different lenders
Because every lender has different overhead costs, operating capacities and appetite for risk, mortgage rates can vary significantly from one company to the next. That’s why it’s important to consider several lenders before choosing where to get your loan.
Freddie Mac recommends getting at least four quotes (it could save you an average of $1,200 a year, apparently). Just make sure you’re not only going by the rates a lender advertises on their website or on third-party sites.
“Looking at advertised rates alone is not a good way to shop around,” Goodwin says. “Lenders typically display the lowest rates they offer as a headline to attract leads, but the actual rate you may be offered can vary dramatically depending on your own financial situation and the kind of loan you’re looking for.”
Many advertised rates also include mortgage points—meaning you would need to pay an extra upfront fee to snag it.
To get a rate that is truly a reflection of what you would pay as a borrower, you need to apply for preapproval. You’ll have to fill out an application and agree to a credit check for this. Once you’re done, you’ll get a loan estimate that will detail the total loan amount you are likely to qualify for, plus your interest rate and expected closing costs—or the fees required to originate, underwrite and close on your loan. Be sure to look at the APR, too—the annual percentage rate. This reflects the total annual cost of the loan, considering both your rate and any fees.
Be warned, though: The rates you’re quoted aren’t guaranteed until you lock your rate. A rate lock guarantees your interest rate for a set period—usually only 30 to 60 days, depending on the lender. You’ll typically do this once you’ve found a home and have a contract in place.
How to calculate your mortgage costs
Comparing mortgage offers might seem tedious, but financially, it’s usually worthwhile. Even a small change in rate can have a big impact on your monthly payment and long-term interest costs.
You can use a mortgage calculator to break down the exact costs or use your loan estimate. This should detail your monthly payment, your interest rate and your total interest paid in five years.
See the difference that incremental rate changes can make on the cost of a 30-year, $400,000 home loan below:
RATE
MONTHLY PAYMENT
INTEREST OVER 30 YEARS
5%
$2,147
$373,023
5.25%
$2,208
$395,173
5.50%
$2,271
$417,616
5.75%
$2,334
$440,344
6%
$2,398
$463,352
6.25%
$2,462
$486,632
6.50%
$2,528
$510,177
6.75%
$2,594
$533,981
7%
$2,661
$558,035
Keep in mind that most mortgage loans are amortized, meaning the total costs are calculated and then paid in even payments across the loan term. With these loans, you’ll pay more interest upfront and less toward the end of the term. For example, your first payment at 6% would see $2,000 go toward interest, while your final payment would have just $11.93.
“At the beginning of the loan term, the majority of the monthly payment will go toward interest,” says Colleen Bara, a lending executive with Key Bank. “As the loan is paid down, more of the monthly payment is allocated toward the pay-down of the principal balance.”
This means if you sell your home quickly after taking out your loan, you likely won’t have paid down your balance much—and may not make much from the home, profit-wise. If this is a concern, making an extra payment each year you’re in the house can help.
“Make one extra principal payment yearly and you can shave off approximately seven years of interest,” Blanchard says.
More on Mortgages
The advice, recommendations or rankings expressed in this article are those of the Buy Side from WSJ editorial team, and have not been reviewed or endorsed by our commercial partners.
Inside: Looking for the perfect graduation gift? Check out our selection of clever ways to give money. These graduation money gift ideas are fun ways to celebrate.
Graduations signify transitions from one chapter of life to a new groundbreaking journey. This major milestone should be marked with a special gift.
In various cultures, gifting money presents the ultimate creativity, coupled with practicality. It expresses your wishes for the graduate’s prosperity and financial independence.
We have the best graduation money gift ideas just for you.
This post may contain affiliate links, which helps us to continue providing relevant content and we receive a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the full disclosure here.
Why choose money gifts for graduates?
Graduates are on the brink of venturing into new territories, whether it’s furthering education, taking a gap year, investing in big-ticket items, or moving to kickstart a career. These steps often come along with substantial financial burdens.
A money gift, therefore, becomes a thoughtful and practical gesture.
A survey by the National Retail Federation recorded cash to be the most popular graduation gift, given by 55 percent of participants. In addition, 43% give greeting cards (often with cash inside), followed by gift cards at 32%, apparel at 14%, and electronics at 10%. 1
Hence, money gifts are not just loved by grads but also cherished by friends and family, making them a comprehensive gifting solution.
Fun and Creative Money Gifts for Graduates
Money Lei
Creating a money lei as a gift for a graduate is a fun and creative way to give cash. To make the lei, start by folding one-dollar bills in a fan shape, then thread them onto a necklace made of string or yarn.
You can add ribbons, faux flowers, or even banknotes of higher denominations to make it even more special. Learn how to make a money lei from this mom.
Money Chain
A fun and inventive way to present cash as a graduation gift is to create a paper chain out of dollar bills. This concept not only represents an inventive method to gift money, but it also adds a decorative touch to the graduate’s celebration.
You can assemble the chain using dollar bills and a stapler, turning it into a creative money necklace. To make it even more special, include a rosette made out of a larger denomination bill like $20 or $50 with the inscription “Congratulations Grad!”
Get detailed instructions on making a money chain.
DIY Graduation Money Cake
Graduations warrant celebration with a cake. How about centering the stage with a splendid DIY graduation money cake? It’s not just a delicious mouthful but also a delightful sight!
This visually humorous and surprisingly straightforward project involves rolling your dollar bills in a circular shape to resemble cake layers. Topped with a mini graduation hat and a congratulatory note, it’s sure to bring smiles for its sheer creativity and attractive bounty.
Better than a diaper cake, and perhaps more loved than a real cake, a money cake makes a clever centerpiece and a graduation gift. Use our inventive DIY money cake ideas to draw inspiration from to build a money masterpiece. Add a personal touch by incorporating your graduate’s favorite colors, stickers, or little decorative items that reflect their personality or interests.
Adding a creative twist to your monetary gift can make it even more memorable too. Spiraling money into a puzzle box, the recipient must solve the puzzle to claim their cash – this adds an element of excitement and challenge. You can choose a puzzle that suits the graduate’s interest, making this fun idea even more personal and thoughtful.
Secret compartments that hold hidden treasure. The recipient must learn how to crack the puzzle to open the secret box.
Graduation Cap Mason Jar with Money Diplomas
This graduation money jar by Must Have Mom not only serves as an impressive cash gift but, courtesy of the graduation cap, neatly doubles as a party decoration too. Handmade with love, filled with cash, and resonating with the graduation spirit – what’s not to like?
Fill the Mason jar with rolled-up bills, each ingeniously crafted to resemble mini diplomas. Secure these ‘diplomas’ with bright ribbons for color pop. Add some coins to represent the small steps it took to achieve this big milestone. Top it up with a mini graduation cap, which you can easily craft with black cardstock and an adorable tassel.
And the best part? It might even inspire your graduate to save!
Pizza Box Filled with Cash
Who doesn’t love pizza? Break up the monotonous way of handing over cash in a dull envelope by presenting it in a faux pizza box. Yes – you read that right! The pizza box filled with cash is an ingenious idea that adds a mix of humor, surprise, and cash!
Craft a pizza out of money bills, each piece folded and clipped like a pizza slice. Etsy and Simplistically Living suggest adding red paper circles with quarters on top for that real pepperoni look.
Learn how to make a pizza is the dough gift.
Graduation Money Box Gift Pull
The graduation money box gift pull bears a unique resemblance to a Kleenex box, offering a creative way to gift money to graduates.
This fun and interactive gift involves attaching money bills end-to-end using transparent tape and then neatly rolling them into a tissue box such that the top bill resembles a tissue ready to be pulled. Decorate the box to give it a celebratory touch, and as the graduate pulls out what they think is a tissue, they’d be pleasantly surprised to find a continuous roll of money instead.
Money Shirt and Tie Origami
The art of origami takes to gifting, adding a personal touch to the otherwise cliched act of gifting cash. Enter the money shirt and tie origami – a creative, fun, and super unique graduation gift.
This cleverly folded shirt and tie ensemble is made from a dollar bill. An epitome of the exciting transition from lecture halls to corporate corridors, it resonates with the graduate stepping into professional life. The stitched proverb “Clothes make the man” truly shines out here, for this crisp white money shirt is undoubtedly a charming symbol of maturity and real-world readiness. Add a quarter or a dime to resemble a metallic tie-pin.
For an in-depth tutorial on how to fold a dollar bill into a shirt and tie, you can look up directions here.
Unique Money Gift Presentation Ideas
Money Tree: An Ever-Growing Investment
In line with the adage, “Money doesn’t grow on trees,” we introduce you to a tongue-in-cheek yet highly symbolic take on this phrase. The Money Tree! (yep, I love to prove my dad wrong!)
This is a creative and innovative way of presenting cash as a gift. It’s also a symbolic nod towards the idea of financial growth and prosperity for the graduate, subtly wishing them monetary abundance throughout their journey.
Fortune Cookie Money Gift
Looking for a fun and quirky way to present money to the graduates on their big day? How about incorporating a little Asian flair and a dash of fun with a Fortune Cookie Money gift? This surprising and unique concept makes for a perfect impression!
The money fortune cookie idea, courtesy of The Paper Mama, is an attractive alternative to age-old gifting methods. Fold your money bills into the shape of fortune cookies and slip them inside a takeaway Chinese box for the ultimate presentation.
Elevate this gift by including a heartfelt note or some thoughtful advice inside each fortune cookie, just like the actual fortune cookies come with hidden messages. Each ‘cookie’ is also a symbol of luck and prosperity.
Zip-Open Money Holder
A Zip-Open Money Holder serves as a stylish and functional way for men to handle their cash, making it a perfect gift for graduates, birthdays, or festive occasions. The design allows for secure storage, and the feature of easily displaying cash by unzipping adds a hint of excitement to the gift-giving process.
With a myriad of styles ranging from minimalist to flashy, you can match the recipient’s personality perfectly.
Emergency Cash Inside Picture Frame: A Lifesaver Graduation Gift Idea
Imagine a rustic shadow box or a sleek modern frame housing a neat arrangement of cash bills under the caption “In Case of Emergency Break the Glass.”
Add a personal touch by including a caring note like “If you ever need help, I’ll be there for you.” This not only gives the impression of a safety net but also reassures them of your ongoing support.
It’s unconventional cash gifting, fun, practical, and literally, their savior ‘in case of emergency’.
Money Balloons to Life You Off Financially!
A truly unique and memorable way to gift money to graduates is to tuck it inside balloons, creating surprising cash confetti.
This sneaky method not only redefines the act of gift-giving, but also adds a fun and exciting element, as the receiver pops the balloon to discover their monetary gift within.
Check out how to make money balloons.
Handmade Money Surprise Bath Bomb
Time for a lovely bath with a hidden surprise! A fantastic way to hide money especially for teen girls!
This unique gift idea of bath bombs also is made with all natural and vegan skin care products. Perfect for small budgets!
Digital-age Money Gifting Methods
Transforming a Venmo Payment into Special Graduation Gift
Building upon this digital-age trend, Venmo introduced the “gift wrap” option, which transforms your usual cash transaction into an endearing cash gift. The payment comes with a short but heartfelt animated GIF intro, which makes the receipt of money all the more special for the recipient.
While Venmo currently does not offer graduation-specific designs, you may utilize the “Just Because” message. Personalize it in your own words, making it relevant to the graduation context. Conveying your wishes and love instantly uplifts the otherwise mechanical act of transferring money.
This digital-age money gift version is ideal if you’re miles apart on your loved one’s Big Day. Despite the physical distance, with Venmo and other such apps, you’re just a few clicks away from blessing the grad with your love, congratulations, and of course, monetary gift.
Money Tree with Gift Cards
A money tree spruced up with various gift cards is an innovative and exciting way to offer a present. This method is not just creative but offers a tangible and enjoyable surprise that surely excites the recipient.
Don’t miss out on purchasing a mix of gift cards from different retailers, topping the whole experience up with a variety of potential shopping sprees. This thoughtful gesture is sure to be appreciated and remember to add a personal touch for an unforgettable gift.
Gift Card in a Congratulations or Graduation Style Gift Box
For a unique and crafty gift presentation, consider placing your gift card inside a mini graduation cap box. This personalized touch not only adds an element of surprise but also highlights the sentimentality of the occasion.
DIY Money Gifts with Step-by-step Instructions
What a sweet Idea!
A unique and sweet way to gift money is by using a glass jar filled with a person’s favorite sweets or candies. Start by choosing a sturdy glass jar, and flood it with your recipient’s beloved candy.
The trick lies in tucking some cash amongst the treats, creating a delightful surprise for the recipient. You can even add a personal touch and a festive aura by attaching a note or decorating the jar appropriate to the occasion, be it graduation, birthday, or holiday.
Learn how to add an element of surprise to your money gift with a glass jar and sweets/candy,
McDonald’s Money French Fries Gift Idea
Everyone loves McDonald’s fries, but have you ever thought of gifting them in money form? The McDonald’s Money French Fries gift idea brings a unique blend of humor and surprise to your graduation gifting game.
This quirky idea involves emptying a McDonald’s french fry container and refilling it with neatly folded bills that mimic yummy fries. This arrangement can be topped off with a note adding to the humor such as, “Did Ronald McDonald ever tell you to keep the change?” or “Want cash fries with that?”
This fun-filled concept comes from Making Memories with your Kids , adding a light-hearted spin to the routine money gifting. Graduates would appreciate this unusual fusion of their fav fast-food chain and a monetary jump-start.
Money Flowers: An Elegant Cash Bouquet
Redefining flower gifting, meet the impressive Money bouquet, an intelligent amalgamation of art, appeal, and worth sure to impress any graduate.
Make the graduation day extra special by gifting your grad a bouquet of flowers with a twist. This project only requires folding skills and a little creativity. Gently roll your money bills to build the cake, then purchase your grad’s favorite flowers.
Plus you can buy the money bill holder on Etsy to make this project easier.
Pre-DIY Money Bouquet
Everyone loves to receive a bouquet of roses! This money gift idea is hidden within the gift. Very attractive present.
This Bouquet is sure to wow for any occasion!
Money Crayons – To Remind Them How Far they Have Come
Consider the charm of hiding money in crayons, an ingenious nod to the recipient’s childhood.
This unique gift idea not only brings back the delightful memory of days spent drawing and coloring with wax sticks, but it also symbolizes the progress the graduate has made, transitioning from using crayons as a child to earning money as an adult.
Learn how to make money crayons.
Investment in Their Future
Express your confidence in the graduate’s future and support their goals with an investment gift. A 529 college savings plan or an investment account is an excellent idea that not only shows your trust in the graduate but also your commitment to their future.
Many grads don’t know how to invest in stocks. So, this may be a great chance to teach them.
It’s not just about money but also a testament to your confidence in them and their dreams. An investment in their future is an invaluable graduation gift that is sure to be appreciated. It’s symbolic, purposeful, and plays a significant part in sculpting their future.
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Indulge in a Money Cake
Lights! Camera! Cake? Hold that thought because we’re going to redefine the whole cake cutting tradition at graduation parties in a fun and profitable way.
Why make a cake when you can make a money cake? It’s an eye-catching centerpiece, a conversation starter, a whole lot of fun, and a cash gift all in one. Inspirations turn dollar bills spiral into a multi-tier cake, complete with a graduation hat on top and maybe even whipped cream at the edges.
“Bake your success,” or let’s say, “Stack your success,” by creating a money cake for your graduate. So, let your creativity flow and gift a homemade cake that’s literally a slice of liquid net worth!
Money Cake Pull Out Kit
Don’t want to make a real cake? Then, opt for the easy solution with a money cake pull out kit! Perfect surprise for graduates with the most versatile and widely-appreciated gift of them all: cash?
We know how you can do it in style: the amazing money cake dispenser, an incredible accessory that you will use on endless occasions.
This complete cash dispenser set includes the special box, cake topper, 1 plastic roll with 50 connected pockets, and printed instructions.
FAQs About Money Gift Ideas For Graduation
A good grad gift with money is one that not only offers financial assistance but also a personal touch, a dash of humor, or a token of encouragement. It makes the recipient feel cared for and supported in their next journey.
Ultimately, a good grad gift with money expresses your congratulations, best wishes for the next chapters, and a monetary boost to help them get a head start in their next big adventure.
These are just creative ideas to make giving money more memorable.
Deciding how much cash to give for a graduation gift depends on several factors including your personal budget, your relationship with the graduate, and the graduate’s level of education.
We have found money gifts for high school graduates typically range from $20 to $300. The study suggests $50 to $100 as an average amount for close family members and friends.
For college graduates, some suggest higher amounts to reflect the monumental achievement. Paying for the Graduate suggests gifting at least $50, but depending on the relationship, you can give up to $500.
Remember, there’s no hard or fast rule determining the perfect amount for a graduation gift. What counts the most is the sentiment behind the gift. Ensure that it’s an amount you can comfortably give, for the graduate, regardless of the sum, will undoubtedly appreciate any cash gift received.
Which Creative Ways to Give Graduation Money Gifts is your Favorite?
Graduation is a momentous occasion and deserves a unique token of appreciation and celebration. Money gift ideas for graduation give you plenty of innovative ways to express your well-wishes, support, and belief in the successful road ahead for the graduate.
Whether it’s a Money Cake, Emergency Cash Inside Picture Frame, a McDonald’s Money French Fries, a Money Rosettes bouquet, or a Venmo payment with a personal message, you’re sure to leave a lasting impression.
Each of these ideas adds a fun and creative spin to the traditional act of gifting money.
Regardless of the amount, it is the thoughtfulness and creativity that will be remembered most by the graduate. I still remember ways I received money that was given unusually.
So, which is your favorite, and what novel money gift would you create for your loved one’s graduation?
Make sure to include these financial adults for young adults as wise wisdom.
Source
National Retail Federation. “Graduation spending to reach $5.2 billion with cash and greeting cards as most popular gifts.” https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/graduation-spending-reach-52-billion-cash-and-greeting-cards-most. Accessed December 20, 2023.
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!
Did the post resonate with you?
More importantly, did I answer the questions you have about this topic? Let me know in the comments if I can help in some other way!
Your comments are not just welcomed; they’re an integral part of our community. Let’s continue the conversation and explore how these ideas align with your journey towards Money Bliss.
Inside: Looking for a creative and easy way to give money as a gift? Look no further than these Money Gift Boxes! These boxes are perfect for any occasion and can be customized to make the gift even more special.
Gone are the days of simply slipping cash into a card; let’s welcome the creative and memorable gesture of a money gift box!
A money gift box, usually filled with crisp euro or dollar bills, presents a unique, exciting, and personalized way to gift money!
Why settle for boring when you can enchant the lucky recipient with this delightful surprise?
Gifting cash doesn’t have to be impersonal or dreary.
A money gift box makes the act of giving money much more thoughtful and engaging, as it shows that you have gone the extra mile to make your gift special.
The beauty of this idea is that it can be customized to fit various occasions – birthdays, weddings, graduation, or even business events.
No matter the occasion or recipient, a money gift box is not just a gift, it’s an experience that lasts even beyond the moment the box is opened.
Choose to make your gift memorable with one of these curated money gift box ideas.
What is a Money Gift Box?
A Money Gift Box is a unique and creative way of giving money as a gift where cash, often in the form of dollar bills assembled and neatly packaged within a gift box.
These boxes are popular gifts for occasions such as weddings, Christmas, birthdays, and other celebratory events where monetary giving is customary.
Money gift ideas are a hot idea and these are unique ways to wrap your cash gifts in an enticing box, creating a true element of surprise or maybe even a puzzle!
How can I surprise my money as a gift?
Coming up with innovative ways to gift money can transform an otherwise simple and predictable present into a surprise packed with joy and excitement.
One fantastic method is the money gift box — it’s unique, elegant, and speaks volumes about your creative prowess.
The money pull box is not just an exciting twist on traditional greeting cards or money envelopes, but it also allows for personalized notes and heartfelt messages, turning a practical gift into something far more special and sentimental.
This ingenious idea is not only an impactful way to give cash but also easy to accomplish.
Remember, it’s the thought, creativity, and effort that transform money—often perceived as a last-minute and impersonal gift—into something unique, intimate, and forever memorable.
Turn that element of surprise up a notch with the money gift box!
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Why Choose a Money Gift Box?
1. You can give money in a creative way.
2. The gift can be customized according to the occasion.
3. Money is a versatile gift that can fit any budget.
4. The gift is easy to make.
5. Money can be given in many different forms, including coins, dollar bills, and more.
6. The gift can be given in various ways, such as in a card box, on a birthday cake, or in an envelope.
7. The gift can be personalized with decorations and other additions.
8. Money can be given in a memorable way.
9. The gift can be given in a way that is relevant to the event.
10. Money can be given in a way that is safe and secure.
How do you put money in a gift box?
Putting money in a gift box can be a delightful surprise for the recipient. One commonly fun method is to tape dollar bills or Euro notes end to end and roll them up tightly – even easier to use the money dispenser bag.
The rolled-up notes are then placed inside the box, with one end fed through a slit in the box and attached to a tab labeled “pull”. This allows the recipient to unravel a long coiled string of money, adding an element of surprise to the gift.
The type, amount, and currency of money can be chosen based on the occasion, whether it’s for a wedding, graduation, or birthday.
Learn how much to give for high school graduation.
Money Gift Box Ideas
Jazz up your gift-giving game with a delightful surprise: a money gift box!
This innovative yet straightforward gift is perfect for any occasion, and we bet the recipient will love it.
Perfect for anyone you value, from family to friends. It’s an excellent gift for celebrations like birthdays, weddings, graduation, or even anniversaries. Perfect small gift ideas!
We curated the best money gift boxes available and picked our favorites, which we can’t wait to share with you!
Money Box for Cash Gift Pull
Imagine surprising your loved ones with a unique, fun-filled cash gift – the Money Box for Cash Gift Pull! Not your traditional presents, this creative and thrilling gift idea redefines the joy of giving.
Tug at the end, and imagine their thrill as they unfold a continuous string of dollar bills.
This money pull box adds excitement, charm, and a touch of suspense to your gift-giving occasions. It combines love, beauty, and utility, making gifting cash a delightful experience.
Expert Tip: Personalize with heartfelt written notes and be generous with the denomination of bills for a more memorable surprise.
Green Money Machine Cash Dispenser
Ditch the mundane envelopes for gifting cash and add a fun twist with the Green Money Machine Cash Dispenser. It is a gift box that turns your cash gifts into an exciting surprise, adding a layer of anticipation to your presents.
We all want a money machine, right? Sounds like a rack of money to me!
The Green Money Machine Cash Dispenser guarantees a gift-giving experience that’s both exciting and memorable.
To use it, just attach the pull-tab to the first bill and thread it through the slot on the top of the Money Machine. The card stock box is lightweight making it hassle-free to carry or send through mail.
Made in the USA, this money dispenser doesn’t include cash, providing you the flexibility to fill it with your choice of cash amount.
Pink Cash Heart Money Pull Box
Looking for a creative way to gift money? Meet the Pink Cash Pull Box – a unique money gift box designed to add a memorable twist to your gifting moments.
This DIY money pull kit allows you to roll your cash, hide it under the box filler, and insert other surprises like flowers or a gift card. Watch as your loved ones delight in pulling out a cascade of money and gifts – an unforgettable moment!
This versatile gift box features an automatic on/off string light that illuminates when the box is opened, providing an enchanting reveal. It’s suitable for multiple occasions such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, birthdays, or anniversaries, making it a thoughtful gift idea for your wife, husband, mother, father, or grandma.
Imagine your loved one opening this in anticipation of a small gift, only to continue pulling out surprise after surprise, ending with birthday money – a gift that perfectly blends sentiment with practicality.
Black Money Box Cash Pull
Surprise your loved ones in a uniquely thrilling way with Ribbonbonbox’s Black Money Box Cash Pull, a luxurious and unforgettable gift experience.
The black box is elegantly designed, highlighted by beautiful red soap roses and a built-in LED light for an additional extraordinary effect.
Crafted with a durable wooden board and acrylic lid, it’s designed for longevity, ensuring the surprise doesn’t fade with time.
Optimized for everyone — from life partners and best friends to parents and grandparents — it’s a compelling choice for all occasions, from birthdays to anniversaries.
Expert Tip: Add in different types of bills while filling the box, for an extra element of fun when your loved one pulls out the cash!
ThinkMax Money Maze Puzzle Box
If you’re searching for the perfect gift that’s both exciting and wallet-friendly, the ThinkMax Money Maze Puzzle Box is an excellent choice. This unique gift combines the thrill of a puzzle with the sweet success of a hidden reward, making it an unforgettable present.
The puzzle box offers a fun and challenging way to gift money or small items. Just slide the ball to the top and push the latch to open the box.
It’s ideal for teen boys, girls, and co-workers, thanks to its modern design and eye-catching colors. In fact, these are inexpensive gifs for coworkers.
But it’s more than just a gimmick – the money maze puzzle box also fosters the development of motor skills, enhances spatial awareness, and strengthens logical thinking.
To make it even more memorable, consider adding a custom message or inserting a specially chosen gift into the box.
Remember, with a touch of creativity, the ThinkMax Money Maze Puzzle Box can be transformed into the greatest gift of all seasons.
Money Puzzle Box for Cash – Solve the Puzzle
Looking for a fun way to give money gifts in care packages for college students? Let me introduce you to the Money Puzzle Box!
This unique gift box adds a thrilling twist to gift-giving by turning it into a captivating adventure. As one of the best money gift box ideas, it’s not just a box, it’s a rewarding 3x3x3 maze puzzle that stores your precious present inside.
This is a clever cash holder and brain-busting puzzle in one.
Plus gives a delightful challenge to your recipient, improving their spatial awareness, motor skills, and concentration.
3D Escape Game Money Box
Imagine surprising your loved ones with a unique, puzzle-solving gift box experience. How, you ask?
Let me walk you through the marvel of 3D Escape Game Money Box.
Start by acquiring the wooden puzzle escape room game, which doubles up as an impressive gift box.
Upon unboxing, navigate through its various compartments designed to pose stimulating mental challenges.
Once you unravel all the mysteries, find the hidden compartment which is perfect for concealing an assortment of gifts such as jewelry, money, or even a personalized note.
Undoubtedly, this 2-in-1 gift idea holds more than meets the eye. It’s not just about the physical treasure hidden inside, but the thrilling adventure in unlocking it.
Happy Birthday Day Money Box for Cash
A happy birthday money box filled with cash makes for a unique and exciting gift.
This creative alternative to placing money in a pull-out fashion offers a colorful and festive way to surprise the birthday person.
The process is simple: dollar bills are taped end to end, rolled up, and placed in a specially designed box. The recipient then pulls a long string of money out of the box, resulting in plenty of smiles and happy surprises.
Above all, the exhilaration of pulling out a roll of cash is an unparalleled experience that makes it the best gift for friends or family who appreciate fun and creativity.
Wooden Secret Puzzle Box
The Wooden Secret Puzzle Box is an innovative and entertaining way to gift money or small presents. With an additional double lock, it creates a mentally stimulating challenge for the recipient, promoting problem-solving skills and increasing brain fitness.
This wooden keepsake box is not just a puzzle, it’s an experience.
The excitement of unlocking the secret compartment to reveal the gift inside surpasses the typical present, providing hours of entertainment. These boxes aren’t just for adults, children can also enjoy the challenge.
The process to unlock the loot requires some effort but is ultimately rewarding. Tilting the box and navigating the slider right, you’ll hit the lock— rewarding patience and logic with the much-desired gift.
Perfect to add to Easter basket ideas for girls.
Confetti Exploding Gift Box
Experience the thrill of giving and receiving with the Confetti Exploding Gift Box – it’s not just a gift; it’s a party in a box!
Imagine the surprise and laughter as the box explodes with confetti, making for a truly unforgettable gift-opening moment.
This isn’t your typical ribbon-tied gift; the box is beautifully crafted in Europe with premium quality materials, ensuring not just a surprise but also a touch of class. It’s perfect for everyone – children, adults, or even your colleagues celebrating their work anniversary.
Think about it… who wouldn’t love their face sprinkling down with confetti! This gift guarantees not just an explosion of colorful bits but, more importantly, an explosion of emotions.
Remember, this isn’t just for the recipient; bystanders will be delighted too, making your gift the talk of the party!
Brain Teaser Wooden Box with Hidden Cash
Introducing the Brain Teaser Wooden Box, an enthralling blend of puzzles, secret stash, and premium craftsmanship. This mysterious box is a fun, engaging, and stylish way to gift cash or other valuables.
Imagine the thrill of gifting a treasure chest that doubles as a mental workout. Crafted from high-quality wood, its intricate design and precise construction make it an impressive gift. Whether it’s for men, women, or puzzle enthusiasts, they will appreciate the challenge and craftsmanship.
What’s in the box? That’s part of the mystery, making it an intriguing conversation starter.
It’s more than just a puzzle; it’s a secure place to hide valuables or surprise someone with a cash gift.
With its versatility, it can also serve as a chic jewelry box or desk decor.
The journey of unlocking this box is half the fun! Whether you’re playing Santa or looking for a unique anniversary gift or boys Easter basket, the Brain Teaser Wooden Box is your exciting solution.
Secret Puzzle Box
Discover a whole new world of excitement and intrigue with the Secret Puzzle Box – an innovative way to gift money or valuable cards. Delight in the thrill of solving a complex mystery as you explore this extraordinary gift box.
Its design combines the addictive challenge of a brain teaser with the thrill of a treasure hunt. It’s perfect for adults who relish intellectually stimulating experiences.
You can safely conceal valuable possessions such as cash, jewelry, or gift cards in its lockable compartments. Nothing like sparking curiosity by keeping your gift under wraps!
Constructed with high-quality wood, it boasts an intricate design that showcases exquisite craftsmanship. Apart from being a captivating puzzle, it doubles as a unique jewelry box and conversation starter.
Cake Money Box Transparent Bags
Most of the money gift boxes come with transparent bags to load up your cash in.
However, you may need extra. These are perfect if you decide to make a DIY money gift box as well.
Why is it one of the best? Well, here are some compelling features:
The bag has a size of 3.1 x 7.5 inches, an ideal and manageable size to tuck in your cash gift.
It’s constructed from high-quality cellophane plastic; lightweight, reusable, and practically invincible against breaks or deformations.
High transparency ensures your gift is perfectly visible, adding to the anticipation and excitement.
The self-adhesive design simplifies packaging and saves you time.
Plus, it possesses excellent vapor-blocking properties, safeguarding your gift from dust and bugs.
Best for occasions like birthday parties, weddings, and family gatherings, this revolutionary gift idea will surely create unforgettable memories.
Expert Tip: You can use these bags not just for money, but also to include small treasured items or personalized notes to make your gift extra special.
How to make a money dispenser box?
All it requires is taping dollar bills end to end in a long string, rolling them, and neatly placing them inside a beautifully designed box. Add a final touch by attaching a “pull” tab to the end bill, and voila – you’ve created a delightful and unexpected gift.
Sounds easy, right? Well, it is. It just takes some practice like these money cake ideas.
Consider using this idea for occasions like birthdays, weddings, or graduation celebrations. After all, who doesn’t love the sight of cascading cash pulled from an exquisitely crafted box?
Step 1: Choose a Money Gift Box
Opt for a box with a festive allure for birthdays or celebratory events.
The box size and shape determine how much money it can hold and how smoothly it dispenses.
The design showcases your creativity and speaks volumes about the occasion.
Remember, it’s not just a gift, it’s an experience. If you want to surprise a friend, pick a box that pops with colors.
Your chosen money gift box sets the stage; make it count!
Step 2: Prepare the Money Roll
You’re onto a fun-filled step of crafting your own money dispenser box, and preparing the money roll!
This part is crucial, so follow closely.
First, gather your dollar bills. Getting new dollar bills may be a challenge, so make sure you ask your bank first.
Next, neatly insert the dollar bills in the transparency bags. Also, include a few memorable notes.
Then, tape the bills end-to-end or use the small sticky dots. Ensure to connect the bills seamlessly and cleanly to maintain the charm of the constant pull.
Once you’ve crafted a nice lengthy string of bills, begin rolling. Start from one end and maintain a tight, steady roll until it looks like a small, compact money bundle.
A quick expert tip here – if the roll seems loose or flimsy, don’t worry. Tightening it up as you go often helps achieve compactness.
Congratulations, you’re one step closer to creating an absolute hit of a gift!
Remember, the joy is in both the making and the giving! Keep up the great work, and let’s dive into the next step soon.
Step 3: Make the Boxes
This is where you incorporate the money into the box, effectively transforming it into a thrilling dispenser.
Insert your tightly wrapped roll of money into the gift box. Make sure you leave the pull the money out.
Next, you can add trinkets or other mementos to the box if you prefer.
Make sure to securely tape it, ensuring that it’s attached beautifully and strongly.
Step 4: Give Out the Boxes
Now for the fun part! Give your money gift box to the recipient or recipients.
As your friend unwraps the seemingly ordinary gift, the initial confusion transitions into pure delight as they pull out a long string of dollar bills from the box. Their bemused smile and surprised laughter truly makes the effort worthwhile.
Remember, it’s not just the monetary value of this gift that matters, but the joyful surprise and the shared happiness it brings.
Get creative with your gift-giving and make each celebration truly memorable.
Money Puzzle Gift Boxes for Cash
One of the MOST popular gifts!
This maze puzzle cube is a unique cash holder. Perfect for kids and adults, it’s a thrilling puzzle box and money maze.
Get yours now and turn gifting into an adventure!
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12/19/2023 07:57 pm GMT
Which Money Boxes for Gifts are your Favorite?
In conclusion, these money gift boxes are more than just vessels – they’re tangible expressions of generosity, thoughtfulness, and affection. They instill in the recipients a sense of appreciation and an overwhelming feeling of being valued.
Plus, who doesn’t like a little surprising twist with their monetary gift?
Start shopping now for these amazing money gift boxes to make your gifting experience memorable and cherished.
After all, the best gifts are not only about what you give but also how you give them. Perfect ideas for gifts for kids who have everything!
With money gift boxes, you can add that extra personal touch, making your gift more special and memorable.
Filled with surprise and delight, these money gift boxes are sure to impress and leave a lasting imprint.
So why wait? Begin your money gift box shopping now and lavish your loved ones with a gift they’ll truly cherish!
Embrace gifting in style with a money gift box! Plus these may work perfectly for a no gift Christmas!
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!
Did the post resonate with you?
More importantly, did I answer the questions you have about this topic? Let me know in the comments if I can help in some other way!
Your comments are not just welcomed; they’re an integral part of our community. Let’s continue the conversation and explore how these ideas align with your journey towards Money Bliss.
It’s hard to say what’s cooler about the Japanese shōya house at the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens — the centuries-old wood structure that was once the center of a small farming village in Marugame, Japan, or the backstory of how it got to its new home at the Huntington’s Japanese Garden.
The journey took nearly eight years of negotiations, bureaucratic wrangling and skilled craftsmanship to dismantle, reassemble and, in some cases, re-create the 3,000-square-foot house and gardens. And starting Saturday, visitors can finally tour the compound, which will be open daily from noon to 4 p.m. (except Tuesdays, when the gardens are closed).
Los Angeles-based Akira and Yohko Yokoi donated their ancient family home to the Huntington, but the $10 million job of moving it to San Marino was far more complicated than just taking apart a puzzle and putting it back together.
Consider the distinctive conical ceramic tiles covering the pitched roof like rows of tight curls. All those silver-gray tiles had to be remade by Japanese craftsmen because the originals were mortared to the roof and had to be broken to disassemble the house. The exquisite garden outside the largest and most important room of the house was carefully mapped and measured, and every stone numbered by landscape designer Takuhiro Yamada so it could be re-created at the Huntington.
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And outside the gatehouse that protected the house, built new because the original was damaged by a storm, the Huntington installed a terraced mini farm growing small plots of rice, buckwheat, sesame, wheat and other traditional Japanese crops, surrounded by a riot of colorful cosmos flowers. The house sits higher than the farmland, so water collected from the roof and ponds all drains down to irrigate the farm land.
So this installation isn’t just an exercise in cultural awareness, says curator Robert Hori, the Huntington’s associate director of cultural programs, who oversaw the project from start to finish. To him, the Japanese Heritage Shōya House is a quiet but effective example of sustainability — “learning from the past for a better future” — and a reminder that farmers “are really the backbone of our society.”
There were plenty of trying times — more than two years of negotiating with city, state and federal officials to get the necessary approvals and occupancy permit to move and rebuild the house. And in the midst of the pandemic, when the disassembled house sat in dozens of packing crates for nearly nine months, Hori had to coax reluctant Japanese craftspeople to come and put it together so the ancient wood pieces didn’t warp in SoCal’s dry summer heat.
“When you’ve spent two years lovingly repairing this wood and then you’re told everything might be lost, that was a call to action to the craftspeople who painstakingly worked on this,” says Hori. “Even in the face of a pretty scary time, they felt like it was their responsibility to put this house back together.”
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The project started with a chance meeting in 2016 during a party at the Beverly Hills home of Los Angeles philanthropist Jacqueline Avant. Hori had come to talk with Avant about a Japanese art collection she wanted to donate to the institution. During their conversation, Avant introduced Hori to her friend, Yohko Yokoi, who soon would be traveling to Japan.
“I said, ‘Oh, that will be a wonderful visit because the cherry blossoms will be in full bloom,’” Hori recalls, “and [Yokoi] said, ‘No, because I have to take care of my house.’ And then she began to tell me the story of this house.”
Hori recalls Yokoi saying the house had been built after the war, “so I thought it was a prefab house from the 1950s with poor construction, built after World War II. But then she was saying, ‘We used to have a castle,’ and that’s when it came to light that this house was built around 1700, after the war that unified Japan.”
Prior to that final battle, Japan had been a confederation of warring city-states and provinces, he said. It took 100 years of battles to create a cohesive central government known as the Tokugawa Shogunate. The Yokoi family’s castle was destroyed during the war. They had been fighting on the losing side, Hori said, but the victorious Tokugawa clan decided to incorporate all the losing factions into its new bureaucracy, to become tax collectors and shōya, or village leaders.
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The Yokoi shōya house was built around 1700 in Marugame, says Hori, and was the family’s private residence as well as a kind of community center for the village.
Inside the gatehouse, a large courtyard provided space for weddings, funerals and celebrations. Farmers and merchants entered the shōya house through one entrance, to measure and store their rice, pay their taxes and try to collect funds for other provisions. These rooms had floors made from hard-packed earth, and rustic beams hand-hewn from pine.
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Adjacent to the dirt-floored rooms were the places where the family lived and worked. These raised floors were covered with rice-straw tatami mats. The wood-framed walls and beams were planed to feel as soft to the touch as satin sheets. Sliding walls with windows covered in rice paper and glass opened to reveal exquisite gardens, enjoyed only by visiting dignitaries who entered through their own special gate.
After the military shogunate system was overturned in the late 19th century, the house became the Yokois’ private residence and went through several renovations, according to Yokoi and her husband, Akira. The last family member to live there was Akira’s mother, who died around 1988. The couple moved to California in the late 1960s, says Hori, where Akira worked as an executive for Matsushita Panasonic, the parent company of Panasonic. They visited the house regularly and kept it maintained, with the idea of retiring there someday.That plan faded, however, and eventually, he adds, the upkeep became a chore.
Hori already was thinking about a big project for the Japanese Gardens when he first met Yohko Yokoi. The Huntington’s Chinese Garden was in the midst of a huge expansion, and the discussion was how to add to the Japanese Garden to balance the two, says Hori. “This was an ongoing conversation we’d been having [at the Huntington] since 2012, and I’d been taking several trips to Japan to figure out what we should be adding next to that garden,” he says.
The Yokoi house sounded promising, so even though he had just returned from a visit to Japan, he made another trip within a few weeks so he could see the house while Yokoi was visiting. And that’s when he got the vision that sustained him through all the difficult years to come.
“I thought it had good bones when I first went to look at it, but also, I was interested in the house because it was really a conglomerate of various styles: the front room with its very rustic wood beams and style on one side, and then on the other side a formal reception room with the elegant carvings and mix of styles; a public face and private face of a scale big enough to accommodate visitors circulating through it.”
There were other signs too. The Huntington’s historic Japanese Garden, with its curved wooden Moon Bridge over a small lake and display of a Japanese home, first opened in 1912 when the West was fascinated by Japanese culture, plants and architecture. The garden fell into disrepair during World War II but was refurbished with support from the San Marino League. In 1968, the garden was expanded with a bonsai collection and Zen Court of plants and raked stones. Then in 2010, the Pasadena Buddhist Temple donated a small ceremonial tea house to the garden, which was disassembled and sent back to Japan to be refurbished before being shipped back to San Marino, where it was reassembled.
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The tea house was much smaller than the shōya house, says Nicole Cavender, director of the Huntington’s botanical gardens, but it gave them the confidence to tackle a much larger structure and create a reconstruction of village life.
“We wanted this to be an immersive experience,” says Cavender, “so it has to be productive as well as beautiful.” The fields of tall magenta, pink and white cosmos flowers that edge the farm weren’t added just to enchant, she said, “but to show that we’re actually trying to grow something. The flowers draw pollinators who help the crops grow.”
Eventually there will be koi in the garden pond by the house, and the water circulating in that pond will be enriched with their poop, she says, and help feed the farmland below. Around the house is decorative edging called rain catchers — narrow drains filled with smooth gray rocks to collect any rain or dew falling off the roof, which also drained to the farming areas below.
Three hundred years ago, the Japanese didn’t have a word for sustainability, but they lived the concept every day with this type of regenerative farming, says Hori. “It’s how you survived. We want people to understand that ornamental gardening started with the ability to move water, and to move earth, which is what we have in farming. It all came out of farming.”
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Hori’s vision encompasses more nuanced lessons too. The house has few furnishings. The smooth wood decking around the perimeter of the house is patched in places where the wood was worn, but the patches were done decoratively in the shape of a small gourd. And the simplicity of the furnishings is a gentle question.
“It gets you thinking … do we really need all this stuff we have? We want this to be a living museum, and walking through the house you can really find the three Rs of sustainability — reduce, repair and recycle, reuse or remake,” says Hori.
“It was all part of a circular economy where nothing was wasted. A ‘circular economy’ is a big concept, but we’re hoping these small doses of a big concept can help people take away these lessons and understand them. As a nonprofit we are in the business of inspiring and changing lives. We can make a difference, and that’s a great thing to come to work to.”
Working out in an apartment is tricky. While some complexes have shared fitness centers, you may not always want to leave the house to do your fitness routine. And on the other hand, trying to have some form of a gym inside your apartment is difficult and limiting when you’re renting. However, there are still plenty of home gym decor ideas that will make your workout space both beautiful and functional — even in an apartment.
Here are some ideas you can incorporate into your home gym decor.
1. Dual-function loft
Photo source: Fitness Design Group
When you’ve got only one large space to work with rather than separate rooms, you may not want to dedicate it only to either a sitting room or a gym. Here, Fitness Design Group made sure there could be both by making a distinct separation between the function of each area.
2. Spin office
Photo source: Love to Know
There’s no need to choose between having a home gym or an office — put them in the same space! You can even create a small separation between the two like Love to Know shares — placing a mat underneath your office area and a separate one for your workout area divides the room based on function.
3. Work(out) from home
Due to the recent pandemic, many people are working (and working out) from home. Working from home brings its own set of challenges, but avoiding the gym doesn’t need to become a hassle. A little side gym, connected to a home office, creates a seamless transition from work to workout at any point in the day, making your home office a functional place before, during and after work.
4. Bright and airy home gym
Photo source: On Design Interiors
No matter the location or size of your home gym, there’s no reason for it to feel dark and dingy. These bright floors and light walls, brought to life by On Design Interiors, make this small space feel large and spacious. Not to mention how simple and chic the design is — it’s not over-the-top and creates a calming environment for exercising after a long, stressful day.
5. Mirrored weight room
This simple, yet effective, basement setup shows just what you can do in a small space. This weight room isn’t very big, but a full wall of mirrors gives the illusion that it’s double the size. Even if you’re in a studio apartment, simply adding a large mirror on the wall near where you practice yoga or do a small-space workout routine will help it feel bigger.
6. Home office with modern wall designs
Gyms don’t need to look boring, especially if it’s part of the place where you live. And it doesn’t take a lot to make your home gym look modern and appealing! Simple wall tiles or decals can quickly upgrade your gym without compromising its functionality. Even in a rental like an apartment, you can use peel-and-stick tiles and wall decor that can easily be removed without damaging the walls.
7. Jungle gym
Photo source: Devon Grace Interiors
Adults aren’t the only ones that need to get their exercise in! Kids living in an apartment may feel a little limited at times without a full private yard to play in, so Devon Grace Interiors added a place for the kids to get their energy out.
The light-colored wood of the jungle gym doesn’t draw too much attention and keeps things muted, while still being a fun place for kids to play.
8. Sleek modern luxury home gym
Making your home gym feel luxurious and modern is a simple matter of color and lighting. Adding a couple of backlit mirrors and incorporating metallics are what the Infinity Design Studio recommends.
9. Traditional CrossFit
Photo source: DNLUD
This home gym by DNLUD is about as close as you can get to a typical CrossFit gym. For some, feeling like they’re at a gym rather than at home helps them get their minds into their workout. The mirrors are black gym mat flooring really gives it an out-of-home feeling.
10. Modern rustic home gym
Photo source: Gambrick
Gambrick didn’t want to detract too much from the natural landscape and kept this in mind when they designed this gym for a modern rustic cabin-stile home in the mountains of Colorado. The deep oranges give just enough color while maintaining the integrity of the outdoors—no matter where you live, your apartment doesn’t have to feel separated from its surroundings.
11. DIY basement upgrade
There are easy ways that anyone can upgrade their basement into a functioning gym. A little peel-and-stick wallpaper, mirrors and foam puzzle flooring turned a dark basement into a bright little workout space that can easily be removed if needed.
12. Spare bedroom fitness renovation
An extra bedroom is already a luxury that not everyone has and instead of turning it into a seldom-used guest room, put it to better use. Light flooring and white walls with natural wood hanging hooks to keep equipment off the floor keep this room looking chic and clean—great for when you’re in a small apartment with not much room to spare.
13. Disguised cycle home gym
You may only need one piece of equipment to get a full-body workout in. A stationary bike is perfect for requiring only a small corner—and that corner might be right in your kitchen! One Instagrammer disguised her bike in her kitchen area by placing a pretty painting and plants around it to blend it into the area.
14. Space-saving yoga grid
When you don’t have room for a full yoga studio, a wall might be all you have. Higashi Fushimi recommends that it’s time to make your storage grid look good—like it’s an intentional part of your apartment’s design, with blended metal rods that both look good and function like any other storage.
15. Vertical storage in your home gym
Choosing equipment and storage racks that work vertically rather than horizontally can keep your gym equipment from taking up too much space in your apartment. Lela of Organized-ish utilizes pegboards for small equipment storage and choose a multi-function vertical workout setup that only takes up a few feet of space in the corner.
16. Aesthetically-pleasing home gym equipment
No need for your gym equipment existing as an eyesore. In fact, it is a beautiful addition to the main area of your apartment. See how Sunny Circle Studio chose wooden multi-use wall bars to provide function and design for a high-end vibe.
17. Upgraded garage
If you’re lucky enough to have access to a garage, you can turn it into a chic and stylish workout room. Celebrity trainer Erin Oprea has even done it herself — add some peel-and-stick wallpaper and affordable vinyl flooring that mimics wood, and you’ve pretty much given yourself a whole new space!
18. Dual-function, hidden equipment home gym
A coffee table that converts into a bench press, a lamp that doubles as a dumbbell and even a foam roller vase that looks and works both like exercise equipment and living room items. Swedish storage company 24Storage invented pieces of workout equipment that aren’t stored in the traditional manner — they’re functioning pieces of your living room! See what fits best in your living room.
19. Balcony home gym
Get some fresh air by exercising on your balcony. Put your bike, treadmill or other machines outside so it doesn’t take up your indoor space. See how Merrick’s Art did with their balcony.
20. Home yoga studio
Turn any open floor space into a yoga area. Keep storage baskets, like Manduka suggests, for your mat and other equipment nearby so when it’s not in use, you can keep your items out of the way.
21. Funky and fun home gym
Don’t just hide your home gym — turn it into the main attraction! Decorilla emphasizes that having fun patterns and colors can both give you energy and help you relax — which is what your workout space should do.
22. Black on black home gym
Having an all-black gym may not feel as light and airy as one with brighter colors, but it can change your mood when you workout. It may help you get more serious, which is beneficial when you’re doing a heavyweight routine or really want to push your limits — which is why Vogue highlights it in a luxury spread.
23. Walking desk as a home gym
Make your work time (and space) the same as your workout! MyMove shows that a treadmill or stationary bike that allows you to use your computer at the same time will save you both time and space as a home workout alternative.
24. Bright home gym yoga space
Use bright colors and neutrals for a calming yoga session. Stick with natural tones and materials, as LDA Architecture & Interiors recommends, and you’ll be feeling calm and serene every time you practice.
25. Neon home gym
Give your workout space an edge with neon lighting. You can either do it all around the room and frame certain pieces, such as mirrors, with neon lights. Or you can add a motivational quote in the form of a neon sign to keep yourself going!
Functional and tasteful
Your home gym doesn’t have to look run-down or ugly. And you don’t need to get rid of it altogether, either! Using these home gym decor ideas, you can create a space that’s both beautiful and functional.
Morgen Henderson is a writer who grew up in Utah. She lived in the Dominican Republic for a year and a half, where she was involved in humanitarian service. Some of Morgen’s work has appeared in State of Digital, The Next Scoop and TechPatio. In her free time, she loves to travel, bake, master DIY projects and improve her Spanish skills.