Gift Cards

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Yesterday The Consumerist pointed to a couple of Curbly posts about how to buy stuff on Craigslist [one, two]. These articles have some good tips, but I think there’s more to say.

My Craigslist Experience

Cragislist is one of the seven wonders of the internet. You can use it to find a job, buy a car, get a date for Saturday night, and sell that old couch. The site is free to use for almost everything. It’s community-policed, which means spam is taken down as users flag it. Kris and I made extensive use of Craigslist when we bought our new house. Over the past three years we’ve purchased:

  • 67″ x 36″ antique mirror with beveled edge: $45
  • Another mirror, battered but okay: $20 and a long wait in traffic
  • Solid cherry Dania shaker desk: $175 and buyer’s remorse
  • A housekeeper to perform a final, thorough cleaning when we moved out of our previous house: $75
  • A futon bed/couch in excellent condition: $100
  • “Cool, stout wooden chair” for my smoking porch: $25
  • A 30 x 60 folding table: $30
  • Two shelving units stolen from Borders by disgruntled employees: $20
  • Free-standing metal cabinet that matches those in our kitchen, delivered: $75
  • Newer double bed with metal frame: $50
  • Doctor’s balance scale: $30
  • Box of 40+ wine glasses: $20
  • An old rototiller: $50 (which I sold two years later for $30)

We’ve also swapped some stuff, too.

  • A dozen raspberry starts and a cubic yard (or more) of fresh manure, all delivered: six rose bushes from our garden
  • A 6mp digital camera: my Nintendo Gamecube
  • A personal computer: my Magic Online account
  • I traded a Wii game I didn’t like for one that I did

Every year I list our neighborhood garage sale on Craigslist. When our business needed to hire a truck driver, I listed the job on Craigslist. I use it to keep tabs on community activities and events.

Here’s an example of an actual Craigslist transaction: For two months, Kris watched for a mattress and bed frame. Beds came and went, but never exactly what she wanted. One afternoon her ideal bed finally appeared. She contacted the seller immediately and arranged for us to pick up the bed, which we did that night. I borrowed the van from work, we grabbed some cash from the ATM, and we drove to the seller’s house. We inspected the bed, and it met with our approval. The seller was friendly — he helped us load the bed into the van. We chatted a little. And then we were on our way. During this transaction, we did several things to make things smoother.

General Tips For Using Craigslist

  • Spend some time learning the site. Familiarize yourself with the interface (it’s fairly straight-forward). Pick a category to watch for a week so that you can get a feel for how things work.
  • It’s cool that you can subscribe to your favorite categories. This can get overwhelming, though. Do you really want to sift through a thousand lame free items every day? Of course not. But you might be keen on learning about every free piano that comes along, for example. Or maybe you want to see every job posting searching for a writer. You can subscribe to a feed of any Craigslist search. This is amazingly powerful. (It’s also a dangerous time-sink.)
  • Always be polite. People are grateful to deal with kind, helpful strangers. When a woman came to take 500 square feet of free sod we’d dug from our lawn, I spent an hour in the rain helping to load her trailer. Though the sod had been listed as free, she sent me $50 in restaurant gift certificates to thank me for helping her.
  • Don’t feel pressured. If you drive out to the seller’s location and find that the item is not as described, or that you’ve changed your mind, don’t feel obligated to buy. If a buyer arrives and tries to change the terms of the deal, call it off.

Tips For Buying on Craigslist

  • The most important thing to remember when looking for things on Craigslist is that you must be both patient and impulsive. This may seem like a paradox, but it’s true. First, you must know what it is you want. And then you must be patient, waiting for that thing to be listed. When you finally see the item available, send e-mail immediately or you may lose your chance. (An e-mail expressing interest is not a commitment to buy, but it puts you at the head of the line in most sellers’ minds.)
  • Be ready to purchase the item when you meet the seller. If you drive to look at a desk, be ready to pay for it and to haul it away. Sellers generally want to get rid of their stuff now. We’ve been able to buy stuff even when we weren’t the first to arrive with cash, but were the first to arrive with cash and a van.
  • Some people sell unwanted gift cards, generally for about 80-90% of their face value. For example, if you know that you’re making a trip to the hardware store for a home improvement project, check Craigslist first to see if there aren’t any gift cards that you might be able to use. Important: verify the balance on the gift card before purchasing it. Many cards contain printed instructions on how to verify the balance, but you might want to meet the seller at the store.
  • Negotiate. Offer the seller less than the asking price, especially if the listing is old. (This won’t work for a brand-new listing.)
  • Use cash and exact change when possible. Some sellers will take a check or give you change, but don’t count on it. Arrange the form of payment before you meet the seller.

Tips For Selling on Craigslist

  • Offer detailed descriptions. Provide essential information. Give the size, the color, the style, or any other relevant information a buyer might need to make a decision.
  • Be honest. You’re not going to fool anyone. If you say something is “like new” and a potential buyer shows up to discover it’s well-worn, you’re not going to make the sale and you’re going to have a cranky customer on your hands. Tell the truth.
  • You don’t need to post a photograph, but you’re going be more successful with certain items if you do. I spent two months searching for the perfect desk on Craigslist. There was a strange disconnect between the text people used to describe their desks and the actual desk as shown in a picture. I wasn’t about to bite on a post that didn’t include an image. But if you’re posting an ad for a used Nintendo Wii game, a photo isn’t required.
  • Ask a reasonable price. If you’re not sure what’s reasonable, watch Craigslist for a week or two to see what similar items fetch. If you price your item too low you’ll sell it but you will have left money on the table. If you price your item too high you’ll never get a response.
  • You will get many responses, but few will follow through. That’s just how Craigslist works. Don’t let it bother you. Be grateful for the few that do follow through.
  • Don’t let buyers talk you into alternate forms of payment. If you’re asking $250, don’t accept a trade for something you don’t need. I’ve made this mistake twice, and one time it really bit me. (I traded for a computer that didn’t work — long, stupid story.)
  • Take down your ad once you’ve sold the item.
  • From my experience, collectibles do poorly on Craigslist. It’s the wrong audience. I watch for comic books because I’m a collector. People have unrealistic expectations of what comics are worth and what the demand for them is. I would never try to sell comics on Craigslist. That’s what eBay is for.

Other Craigslist Resources

Here are additional resources to help you get the most out of Craigslist:

Craigslist is a cheap and fun way to get stuff you need, or to get rid of stuff you no longer want. But be careful. Don’t spend more than you should — it’s easy to get carried away!

Source: getrichslowly.org

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Looking to learn how to get $20 PayPal now?

Whether you want to learn how to get $20 in 5 minutes or if you have a little more time such as a day or even a week or so, there are many ways to learn how to make $20 fast so that you can make extra income and real money.

Earning an extra $20 through PayPal may seem like a daunting task at first when you are in real need of making money fast, but it is doable.

In this article, I’ll introduce a few simple ways to get $20 in your PayPal account, allowing you to use the extra cash for whatever you need.

Whether you have a last minute bill that you need to pay, or if you are looking to put a little extra money into your savings (for example, maybe you’re just looking to put an extra $20 a week towards a vacation fund), there are many ways to make $20 right now.

You may decide to find a part-time gig answering questions online, freelance writing, dog sitting, or more. These are just a couple of the many ways to earn $20 with PayPal.

Some of the ways mentioned today may allow you to work from home, such as from your cell phone or your laptop.

Related content:

How To Get $20 PayPal Right Now

Quick Online Methods to Get $20 PayPal Now

There are many sites that may allow you to make $20 fast, and all from home. Some quick online methods that you can do starting today include the below.

Swagbucks

Swagbucks is one of my favorite websites to make easy money online, as it offers a variety of tasks like watching videos, taking surveys, playing games online, and searching the web.

I usually earn points and redeem them for PayPal cash or free Amazon gift cards (I’ve actually earned over 110 gift cards from Swagbucks!), and with a good number of things you can do to earn points available, getting $20 is doable in a short amount of time.

You can join Swagbucks by clicking here and get a free $10 sign up bonus.

Survey Junkie

By taking surveys on Survey Junkie, you earn points that can be converted into PayPal cash, helping you to quickly reach your $20 goal. The surveys are easy to complete and allow you to share my opinions on different topics.

You can sign up for Survey Junkie by clicking here.

Branded Surveys

Branded Surveys is another survey platform that can help you earn extra money. After earning Branded Surveys points, you can cash out via PayPal. There are over 3,000,000 users who take surveys on this website, so it is very popular!

You can sign up for Branded Surveys by clicking here.

American Consumer Opinion

As a member of American Consumer Opinion, you get the chance to participate in product testing, surveys, and even earn cash for referring friends.

You can typically earn anywhere from $1 to $5 for a survey, which mainly depends on the length of the survey. Longer surveys typically pay more than shorter ones.

You can sign up for American Consumer Opinion by clicking here.

Ibotta

Ibotta is a cash back website that gives you a $10 sign up bonus for signing up once you spend $30. You can get cash back for shopping at stores such as The Home Depot, Best Buy, Chewy, Walmart, Old Navy, and more.

You can sign up for Ibotta by clicking here.

MyPoints

As an online reward platform, MyPoints can be a useful tool for you to make extra money through surveys, online shopping, and even watching videos.

By completing various tasks and earning points, you’re able to cash out your earnings to PayPal and make $20 in a short amount of time. They have given out over $236,000,000 in rewards over the years.

You can sign up for MyPoints by clicking here.

User Interviews

User Interviews can help you to make extra money by participating in online research studies and interviews. With a variety of interesting topics and user-friendly platform, making $20 and getting paid through PayPal is an achievable goal, as there are many focus groups on this website that pay over $100 per hour.

They launch over 2,000 studies each month and are always looking for new participants.

You can sign up for User Interviews by clicking here.

You can learn more about the highest-paying survey sites and how to test new products at 18 Best Paid Survey Sites To Make $100+ Per Month.

Freelance Opportunities for $20 PayPal

Another option is to take on some freelancing jobs. By freelancing online, you may be able to earn $20 by the end of the week (and usually much more money!).

See what skills you have to offer, and then list your services online.

Fiverr

Fiverr is a platform to offer your services and quickly make $20 with PayPal as a payment method.

There are many different categories to choose from, such as graphic design, voice over, illustration, writing, translation, online tutoring, and marketing. You can click here to see the many different types of job categories that they have listed on their website

You can set your own prices and gig extras to maximize your earning potential. When you complete your tasks, and the clients approve them, the payment gets transferred to your PayPal account.

Freelance Writing

A freelance writer can easily earn $20 fast. A freelance writer may write for many different types of clients, such as a website, magazine, marketing department, book publishers, and more.

You may be writing articles, blog posts for SEO, marketing content, newsletters, press releases, and so much more.

You can learn more in my article 14 Places To Find Freelance Writing Jobs – (Start With No Experience!)

Proofreading

As a proofreader, you are looking for misspelled words and punctuation mistakes in written content such as articles, blog posts, advertisements, resumes, and newsletters.

You can learn how to find jobs at 20 Best Online Proofreading Jobs For Beginners To Earn $40,000+ Each Year.

Alternative Ways to Earn $20 PayPal Fast

If you want to learn how to make $20 fast, there are many other ways to make this possible.

Below, I will be talking about how you can sell your stuff online, micro-investing, getting cash back when shopping online, renting out a spare room, pet sitting, and even getting a personal loan.

Sell Your Stuff Online

One method for earning $20 on PayPal is by selling your used and unused items online. You may be able to sell an old cell phone that is sitting around (such as from maybe when you upgraded your last phone, or if you even have an old phone that has a cracked screen), clothing, jewelry, appliances, and more.

Many platforms, such as eBay, Poshmark, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and Decluttr, allow you to create listings and accept payments through PayPal.

This not only helps you to declutter your space but also turns your belongings into some extra cash. Plus, you can get $20 instantly by doing this as there are probably many items in your home that you can sell right at this very moment.

Acorns Micro-Investing

Acorns allows you to link and round up transactions from both debit and credit cards and essentially invest their spare change. Acorns also does 2x, 3x, and 10x multipliers on round-ups so you can maximize your investments and have a more diverse portfolio.

For example: If you use a linked card to buy a $4.22 latte, Acorns will round it up to $5 and invest the $0.78 difference. Turning on round-ups will increase your investment to $1.56, $2.34, or $7.80.

You can click here to sign up for Acorns.

Shopping Online with Rakuten

Rakuten is a cashback website. You can earn cashback for simply shopping online.

By signing up for Rakuten today, you can also get $30 as a welcome bonus after you spend $30.

Plus, this is for shopping online at many of the stores that you probably already shop at, such as Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Old Navy, Chewy, and more.

You can learn more and sign up here.

Rent out a spare room

If you have a spare room in your home, you may want to consider renting it out on platforms such as Airbnb or finding a long-term roommate to make extra money.

This will, of course, earn you much more than $20, but I wanted to mention this here because it can be a way to make consistent money each month if you are looking for more ways.

To learn more about renting out your spare room, please read A Complete Guide To Renting A Room To Make Extra Money.

Babysitting and Dog Walking

Another way to make quick money is by babysitting kids or providing dog walking services in your local area.

Websites such as Care and Rover make it easy to connect with families in need of a babysitter or a pet owner looking for a dog walker or pet sitting.

You may be watching the children or pets in your own home or their customer’s home – it simply depends on what type of service you want to offer. Sometimes people like to be in their own home, whereas other times maybe you would rather go over to the client’s home for the services.

The gig economy has been a fantastic option for earning extra money, and these platforms make it easy to get paid through PayPal, direct deposit, or cash.

Albert – quick personal loan

If you need cash now and the above options will not work for you, a company called Albert may be able to give you a small advance of up to $250.

There are no late fees, interest, or credit check. If you want to avoid personal loan lenders who have high interest rates, and only need a small cash advance, then Albert may be a place to start with. Albert is available in the App Store and Google Play. How this works is that they send you $250 from your next paycheck. You simply repay them when you receive your next paycheck.

You can learn more about Albert here.

What app can I get $20 from?

There are many apps that can help you learn how to make $20 right now.

These may include:

This may be available on your laptop, tablet, or cell phone (Android or Apple).

How can I get $20 right now?

If you want to learn how to get $20 right now, then I hope you enjoyed today’s article and are able to try a few of the options listed above.

There are many other ways to get $20 in PayPal right now, from taking up side hustles to searching for free money in your spare time.

From earning sign up bonuses from a simple online purchase to selling your used items on Facebook Marketplace to taking online surveys to taking on odd jobs, there are many ways to earn $20 fast.

Whether you are looking for $20 in PayPal cash, a direct deposit of $20, or visa gift cards, there are many ways to earn $20 and more quickly.

Do you want to learn how to get $20 PayPal now? What tips do you have to share?

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Source: makingsenseofcents.com

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Personally, I begin to panic every year as the holiday season approaches. It’s not because I don’t love Christmas. I really do love the holiday season, in general. I just cringe at the thought of all of the money that gets spent unnecessarily, especially mine. And as holiday spending has steadily grown out of control, expectations have come along for the ride. What is now considered to be a reasonable amount of presents is completely different than it was when I was a kid. Nowadays, children are getting showered with big gifts, expensive toys, and things I never would have dreamed of receiving as a child.

My mom once told me that, when she was young, she typically got an orange and some candy in her stocking on Christmas. Seriously. And she was thrilled to get it. She also reminded me that she and her siblings would each get only a few small toys as well. The thing is, this isn’t just some story about walking 10 miles to school, uphill, both ways. It is actually the truth. Of course, it happened 60 years ago, and I cannot believe how times have changed. Kids certainly expect a lot more gifts now, and it doesn’t take much to figure out why things have changed so dramatically.

Doesn’t it seem like the holiday season creeps up on us earlier every single year? It is no longer surprising to see stores decorated for Christmas in early November… way before Thanksgiving! This year, several stores even announced that they would open for Black Friday on Thanksgiving Day, and they made many customers upset in the process.

We are inundated with toy store ads and commercials featuring the tippy tops of Christmas trees hidden by huge piles of gifts. In the meantime, I have also noticed that children’s toys have gotten extremely expensive! My 3-year-old recently asked for a Nintendo 3DS for Christmas. After a quick Google search, I determined that it is a nearly $200 gaming system! My brother has also convinced her that she needs an iPad for Christmas. Obviously, that is not going to happen. Still, it’s hard to avoid the trappings of a consumerist Christmas when we are constantly confronted with expectations that are sometimes unreasonable and wasteful.

So, where does that leave us? What should families do to keep holiday spending under control? Should we sacrifice our own financial well-being in order to deliver the Christmas that advertisers portray? Or should we stick to our guns and only buy the bare minimum for our children, family, and friends?

Since my children are so young, ages 3 and 1, we have decided to keep expectations fairly low. This year, we spent approximately $100 per child, and we actually got them some nice things that I believe they will enjoy. The additional money we have allocated to spend on them this year is going straight into their college savings 529 accounts. How did we do it? It’s fairly simple actually. We’re giving them used stuff.

There, I said it. I give my children used toys and clothes for Christmas. Well, not all of their gifts are used. Still, many of the toys and clothes that will be under the tree are second-hand items. Do I feel bad about it? No, absolutely not. In fact, I feel like it makes perfect sense.

This strategy might feel completely tacky to some….but I have to ask you, “What difference does it make?” My kids are so young that they can’t possibly know or care. Once the gifts are wrapped and under the tree, they will easily blend in with the others. My children will never suspect a thing. Buying some used toys and clothing has allowed me to stretch my holiday dollars much further. I am also able to buy them nicer gifts than I would be able to if I paid sticker price for every one.

Maybe giving used items isn’t in your game plan this Christmas. Still, there are plenty of other ways to stop spending so much money during the holidays. Here are some easy steps that may help you save some of your holiday cash.

Make a holiday gift budget and stick to it. Making a gift budget is an ideal way to keep your spending under control. First, decide who you are buying for. Second, determine what you can afford to spend on them and stick to it. Remember that it is not necessary to buy for every last relative and person you know – and it is unreasonable for them to expect you to do so.

Stop buying for siblings and their spouses. Initially, this didn’t go over too well with my family. However, since my siblings and I are all adults, it seemed silly to insist on buying each other gifts. By the time we finally stopped, we were basically just trading gift cards around. It was totally unnecessary, and I was relieved when it finally came to an end.

Make homemade gifts if you can. Choosing not to buy for extended family members, neighbors, and co-workers can save a ton of money if you are able to get away with it. If you feel obligated to give them something, try making them something instead. If you aren’t crafty, bake some cookies or holidays treats and wrap them with holiday wrapping paper or bows.

Stop buying for pets. Do pets really need Christmas gifts? No, they don’t. If you feel obligated to put something under the tree for your pet, re-gift them something that they already have. I’m giving my dog a bag of dog food for Christmas this year. Trust me, he’ll love it.

Don’t try to keep up with the Joneses. Everyone has some Joneses in their life. Don’t try to emulate their bad Christmas spending decisions. Spend only what is a responsible amount for your family. Remember that the Joneses may or may not be able to afford all of the gifts they bought in the first place.

Obviously, there is so much more to Christmas than rampant consumerism. Maybe lowering Christmas expectations will help us all focus on what is really important during the holiday season – spending time with the people we love.

How are you saving on your Christmas shopping this year? What gift-giving limits do you practice?

Source: getrichslowly.org

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Money is entirely fungible. Despite my earlier misconceptions, this idea has nothing to do with fungus.

Instead, fungibility is a synonym for replaceability, or the capability being used in place of another. While a crispy, fresh $100 bill might feel better than an old, wrinkly $100 bill, they can be used precisely the same. They are fungible with one another.

Many money mistakes occur when people don’t understand monetary fungibility. Let’s fix that today.

A Penny Saved…Is Less Cool Than A Penny Earned

Much more ink gets spilled on earning and investing than on simple saving and budgeting.

I’m guilty of that here on The Best Interest. I love writing about investing. But budgeting? Eh. I have a few articles, but it takes a back seat to investing.

Yet Ben Franklin understood fungibility when he wrote, “A penny saved is a penny earned.” If you can save $100 per month via a budget, that’s equivalent to a 10% annual return on $12000. It’s not as cool as investing, but the fungibility of money doesn’t care about coolness.

A dollar is a dollar. The invested dollar might feel cooler, but it has the same buying power as the uncool saved dollar.

Gift Cards – Not Ideal

This next lesson is going to sound crass: giving a gift card is the same as saying, “here’s a cash gift, except I’m actively taking away your fungibility.”

Again, I’m guilty of this. I’ve given gift cards. I completely understand the sentiment. “I know you like [insert hobby, store, restaurant, etc. here], but I don’t know precisely what you’d buy from there. So here’s a gift card.”

But gift cards steal choice. They steal the fungibility of money. A cash gift can be used to buy anything in the world. A GolfWorld gift card cannot.

My two cents: just buy your loved ones an actual item, and include a gift receipt.

Dividend Bros

I’ve taken down dividend bros before on The Best Interest. Their arguments are varied. One of the dumber pro-dividend arguments is that dividends provide a level of liquidity that non-dividend-paying stocks cannot provide.

This argument is, in short, made in ignorance of fungibility. Dividends are fungible with stock ownership (exclusive of taxes). The same income provided by dividends could be created by selling a portion of the stock itself. Stocks are fungible, cash is fungible, and thanks to the efficiency of the market, stocks and cash are fungible with one another.

(In fact, once taxes are considered, dividend payments are almost always worse than simply selling stock.)

“Buy Yourself Something Nice”

When Grandma gives you $20 to “buy yourself something nice,” she’s missing a lesson in fungibility.

In reality, Grandma’s $20 gets comingled with all the other available dollars to you, and any future $20 purchase is drawn from those comingled dollars. Grandma’s contribution only paid a small role in that purchase. Sorry, Ethel!

All the other purchases you make in the future – good, bad, or ugly – will use Grandma’s contribution too.

The same idea applies in other arenas:

  • Charities use a percentage of donations for their own administration. Every charitable dollar is comingled and then drawn against. Nobody’s contribution goes 100% to the charitable cause.
  • Many citizens use government assistance to purchase necessities (e.g. buying food with food stamps) and then use cash to purchase other items. That food stamp money is partially fungible. Food dollars can be replaced by food stamps, though food stamps cannot be sold for real dollars. If someone receives $200 in food stamp aid, they can spend $200 real dollars elsewhere. In short, a percentage of every real dollar spent is subsidized by the food stamp dollars.
  • When you find a $100 bill sitting in the parking lot and decide to test your luck with Lottery tickets. Hey, it wasn’t your money in the first place, right? Again, money is fungible and this line of thinking misses an important lesson.

Splurging

A sudden windfall gives you an unexpected $50,000. What do you do with the money?

A common idea is to splurge on something nice – say, with 10-20% of the windfall – then save the rest. I’m on board with this idea from a psychological perspective. But this splurge does not jive with the concept of fungibility.

Because if you wouldn’t spend your own hard-earned dollars on a $5,000 – $10,000 splurge, you shouldn’t spend windfall money in that way either. These dollars are all fungible. Windfall money should be treated exactly the same as the other money in your life.

Now, perhaps you were already slowly saving for such a splurge. You were already setting aside hard-earned dollars for the splurge. The windfall simply accelerates your timeline. That makes sense.

What doesn’t make sense is for someone to say,

“I would never spend my own money this way, but I’m fine spending a windfall this way…”

Money is fungible. It is spent fungibly. It should be thought of fungibly.

Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this article, join 6000+ subscribers who read my 2-minute weekly email, where I send you links to the smartest financial content I find online every week.

-Jesse

Want to learn more about The Best Interest’s back story? Read here.

If you prefer to listen, check out The Best Interest Podcast.

Source: bestinterest.blog

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It’s that time of year again. The joyous, magical time of giving and receiving!

What do I want for Christmas?

This is a question that you may find yourself asking this time of year.

It can be hard to ask someone what they would like as it feels kind of weird and embarrassing! Even worse, is actually telling someone exactly what you want.

Many times people are so caught up in their own lives, with work and school, and other things going on, that they don’t know what the best gift to give each other might be! The last thing anyone needs is more stress (or anxiety) around the holidays.

So, I have compiled a list of some ideas for what you might like as a gift this Christmas!

To kickstart this list, I asked around to my besties – both women and men what they really want for Christmas. This list is from real people!

Guaranteed you will find the perfect gift for that someone special on your list!

things I want for christmas

I hope this holiday gift guide helps give you some ideas for what to ask for this year!

Deep down, I want big things like travel, quiet time, health, and hanging out with my family. But, my family always wants ideas.

Regardless, if you have a big Christmas list or small one, here are great ideas for you.

What do I want on my Christmas list?

When it comes to Christmas lists, it can be tough to figure out what you actually want.

After all, there are so many things to choose from! But don’t worry, we’re here to help.

Consider the five-gift rule:

  • Something I Want
  • Something I Need
  • Something to Wear
  • Something to Read
  • Something to Do

Some great gift ideas for Christmas include clothes, books, movies, gift cards, and experiences like a trip or a concert. But remember: these are just suggestions! You should put whatever you want on your list–after all, it’s your Christmas present!

What Do I Want for Christmas?

Hey everyone, it’s that time of year again when we all start to think about what we want for Christmas.

Personally, I’ve been doing a lot of online shopping and have compiled a list of items that I would love to see under the tree on December 25th.

If you’re like me and still haven’t decided on what you want, don’t worry! I’ve got you covered with this ultimate holiday gift guide.

1. Headphones / AirPods

First up are headphones. There are a ton of different options when it comes to headphones, but I love my Apple AirPods I received a few years ago.

The price tags on most of their devices seem steep at first, but you can find some great entry-level ones that offer great quality.

I highly recommend quality headphones for your Christmas wish list.

2. Money

Money is a popular gift option because it offers a lot of flexibility. You can use it to buy anything you want, and it’s always appreciated. Some people find it difficult to ask for money or receive it as a gift, but with the right attitude, it can be a great way to show your loved ones that you care.

One way to give money as a gift is in a brainteaser box. This fun idea turns giving money into a game, and your friends and family will love trying to figure out how to open it.

However, before you can enjoy the benefits of being on the giving or receiving end of money, you need to have realistic expectations.

Money doesn’t buy happiness, and expecting too much from your loved ones can lead to disappointment.

If you’re feeling brave, why not ask for money this Christmas? It’s always better than expecting something expensive from your loved ones. Here are great money gift ideas.

3. Digital Photo Album

One of the favorite features on my phone is when random picture memories pop up! It makes my heart sing!

If you want a unique gift that will always have these happy photo moments, consider a digital photo album.

This is a great way to store and organize all of your photos in one place, and it’s also easy to share with friends and family.

There are many different options when it comes to digital photo albums, so you can find one that fits your needs. For example, if they like to travel a lot, you might want to choose an album that includes GPS tracking so they can always know where their photos were taken. Or if they’re into scrapbooking, find an album that allows them to add text and other elements to their photos.

Whatever option you choose, make sure the digital photo album is easy for your loved ones to use. The last thing you want is for them to be frustrated with trying to navigate through all of their photos!

4. Shiatsu Massage Chair Pad With Heat Function

If you’re looking for a massage chair pad that will help alleviate muscle soreness, easy neck stiffness, and eliminate fatigue, the Shiatsu Massage Chair Pad With Heat Function is an excellent choice. This product comes with a rolling and spot massage, providing a comfortable, soothing feel to muscles. Plus, it’s an excellent alternative to a full-body massage chair if space and cost are constraints.

The Shiatsu Massage Chair Pad With Heat Function is made with a washable and reusable fabric. It also has anti-slip feet on the bottom to stay in place. The heat function can be turned off if desired, or there’s a timer that will automatically shut it off after 10 minutes of use. You can buy this product on Amazon and way cheaper than a full massage chair.

5. Indoor Smart Herb Garden

If you’re looking for a unique and special gift for the gardener in your life, look no further than an AeroGarden In-Home Garden System. This garden kit takes care of itself and can be placed anywhere in the house–no green thumb required!

The Smart Herb Garden is a great way to get started with gardening, and it’s also perfect for anyone who wants to add scent and beauty to their home or apartment.

You can purchase additional seed pod kits as well.

6. LiLash Purified Eyelash Serum

If you’re looking for the best beauty splurge, look no further than LiLash Purified Eyelash Serum.

Their eyelash serums are made with natural vitamins and minerals to give you noticeable results in just 6 weeks, and full results in 12 weeks!

LiLash is a purified eyelash serum that is vegan, gluten-free, non-toxic, and cruelty-free. It has over a million users and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. They’re also easy-to-use and fit right into your daily routine.

I want to splurge on this eyelash serum to lengthen and thicken my lashes!!

7. Shower Bluetooth Speaker

Do you hate having to stop your music or podcast when you go in the shower? If so, I have the perfect solution for you!

A shower speaker is a small, water-resistant speaker that can be used in the shower, by the pool, or anywhere else near water. They are often Bluetooth-enabled so that they can be connected to a phone or other device for streaming music.

The Oontz shower speaker is waterproof, shockproof, and dustproof. That means you can take it with you wherever you go without having to worry about it getting wet or damaged.

The battery lasts forever on a single charge, so you can use it all day long if you need to. And if that’s not enough, there are a lot of popular Bluetooth speakers on the market, but this is the one I personally have. So no matter what kind of music or podcast lover you are, there’s sure to be a speaker that’s perfect for you.

So check them out today and get ready to rock out in the shower!

8. Everyday Hammock Chair

If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the person who wants to slip away and relax, look no further than a hammock! This high-quality hammock chair is made of oak wood and is personalized with the user’s name on it. It’s also a great gift for any occasion!

While many think hammocks are for camping or for hikers to relax after a long day of trekking through the wilderness, they are perfect for ANYONE who needs an escape to quiet. And what could be better than getting to relax in your very own personalized hammock?

Hammocks make a great gift for any occasion, but it’s especially perfect for Christmas.

9. Breville, the Barista Express, Espresso Machine & Specialty Coffee at Home

The Breville Barista Express is a high-quality espresso machine that is perfect for the at-home coffee lover.

The machine is compact and easy to use, making it a one-stop shop for quality espresso.

The Barista Express also delivers fresh, quality espresso in under a minute, so you can get your caffeine fix quickly. Getting authentic café style results in no time at all.

10. Instant Pot Duo Crisp Large 11-in-1 Air Fryer & Electric Pressure Cooker Combo

Instant Pot has come out with a new product that is sure to be a hit every holiday season. The Duo Crisp Large 11-in-1 Air Fryer & Electric Pressure Cooker Combo.

This is something I always wanted, but never wanted to research which one is best. So, my mom bought this one for me. I absolutely love it! And we use it multiple times per week.

This product is a pressure cooker and air fryer combo with 2 convenient removable lids. This means that you can air fry your food in one multi-cooker and easily transition between pressure cooking and slow cooking.

11. Himalayan Rock Salt Lamp

Salt lamps have been popular in western nations for a while now, and for good reason. They offer a number of benefits to those who have them in their home. improved energy, better sleep quality, and purified air are just a few of the advantages you can enjoy from having a Himalayan Rock Salt Lamp.

People who have salt lamps often report multiple benefits from having them in their homes. Some people find that they help improve their moods, while others appreciate the added beauty that the circular design brings to their décor. And unlike traditional lamps, these Himalayan salt lamps are flicker-free, meaning you can read or relax near them without being disturbed by any light flickering.

We have a Himalayan Rock Salt Lamp in each of our bedrooms.

If you’re looking for a unique and beneficial gift this holiday season, consider gifting someone a Himalayan Rock Salt Lamp.

12. Spa Gift Set For Women

When it comes to finding the perfect gift for a woman, sometimes it can be tough to think outside the box. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! This year, consider a spa gift set. Women love to relax and pamper themselves, and what better way to do that than with a luxurious set of spa products?

Hint…hint… a spa gift set is always a great option!

No matter what type of woman you’re shopping for, there’s sure to be a spa gift set that’s perfect for her. Whether she loves spending time at the spa or just enjoys pampering herself at home, she’ll love these luxurious gifts.

So if you’re stuck for ideas this Christmas, why not go with something she’ll really appreciate – time to relax and be pampered?

13. Stress Reliever Ball

Do you find yourself feeling stressed out often? If so, we have the perfect solution for you!

This Serenilite Stress Reliever Ball is perfect for relieving some tension during the workday. It’s a fun addition to your desk or party, with the goal of bringing relaxation into your life when you need it most.

Each ball is made with three densities – soft, medium, and hard. Perfect for strengthening your grip, joints, and muscles.

14. Gemstone Birthstone Necklace

Photo Courtesy of Jill Makes

This necklace is a beautiful piece that would make the perfect gift for any occasion. It comes with one pendant and is made of high-quality materials. The pendant measures approximately 13 millimeters in height and is sure to impress.

This minimalist-style gemstone birthstone necklace is perfect for anyone who wants a unique and personalized piece of jewelry. The pendants are engraved and sealed with the month of your choice, making it a special and one-of-a-kind gift.

Who doesn’t want a personalized item for Christmas?!?!

15. Deep Tissue Muscle Treatment Portable Handheld Massage Gun

This handheld massage gun is perfect for those who need deep tissue muscle treatment. It comes with several adjustable speeds to help tense muscles, relieve pain, and increase blood flow. The Shiatsu massage is an added bonus that helps make this gun a great choice for anyone looking for relief from muscle pain.

This device is a great option for those who are on a budget or live in small spaces. The rolling and spot massage work on the back, but this device can be used anywhere on the body.

16. Traeger Wood Pellet Grill

A Traeger wood pellet grill is a great gift for the holidays because the user can control it from anywhere with WiFi and Alexa technology. The grill also has a built-in meat probe, so the user can cook to perfection every time.

They are known for their 6-in 1 versatility, which allows you to use it as a grill, a smoker, a bake oven, a roast oven, a braise pot, and even a BBQ pit.

Traeger is the original creator of the wood-pellet grill. Who says mama can’t smoke meat too?

17. Fitbit Versa 2

The Fitbit Versa 2 is the latest and greatest addition to the Fitbit family.

This smartwatch has all the features you need to help you stay on track. You can create alarms, set reminders, check the weather or start an exercise with Alexa. Plus, it comes in a variety of colors to fit your style.

This smartwatch has an always-on display mode and Fitbit Pay, so you can easily check your pace and distance during a run or pay for something without having to take your wallet out. It also has built-in GPS, so you can track your progress on runs or hikes. Plus, the battery life varies with use, so it’s perfect for people who want a watch that does it all.

So overall, the Fitbit Versa 2 is exactly what you want for Christmas!

18. Robot Vacuum Cleaner

If you’re looking for an easy way to keep your floors clean, a robot vacuum cleaner may be the perfect solution. It was for me!!

Robot vacuums are automatic vacuum cleaners that do not need cleaning themselves and can be charged automatically. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with multiple cleaning modes and auto-clean scheduling.

Some of the more popular brands include iRobot, eufy, and Shark. While there are many robot vacuums on the market, each has its own unique features that set it apart from the competition. For example, some models are designed for pet owners or have special attachments for dealing with tougher messes.

When shopping for a robot vacuum cleaner, it’s important to consider your specific needs and budget. Many models are available online, so be sure to do your research before making a purchase. Less time cleaning is a win for you!

19. Kindle Paperwhite

If you’re looking for an e-reader this holiday season, the Kindle Paperwhite is a great option.

It’s easy to hold and use, and you can read in the sunlight without any screen glare. The Kindle Paperwhite also comes in a size similar to a regular novel, which makes it more comfortable than an ordinary book for readers of all ages. Plus, the Kindle e-Reader can hold thousands of books, and the battery lasts for weeks. And with the Kindle Unlimited, users can read as many books as they like from the store.

The Kindle Paperwhite is a popular option for those looking for an e-reader, and it’s great sale price — less than other options on the market. So if you’re looking for a great gift that your loved ones will actually use, be sure to consider the Kindle Paperwhite!

20. Memory Jars

Photo Courtesy of Meraki Designs by Lisa

Memory jars are a great way to capture memories and moments from your life. They can be filled with photos, tickets, mementos, or any other item that holds sentimental value to you. You can create a memory jar for any occasion-a birthday, graduation, wedding, or just because.

To make a memory jar, start by gathering your supplies. You’ll need a jar (or container) of some sort, Mod Podge or another sealant, paintbrush(es), photos or other items to decorate the jar with and scissors. Once you have your supplies ready, it’s time to start creating! Or you can buy straight from Etsy!

Just be sure to include the year so you can look back on your memories later!

21. Desktop Stand for Printer

This desktop stand is perfect for your printer and a great way to save space in your office!

The stand is stable and sturdy, making it perfect for stacking printers, fax machines, scanners, and other office equipment. The height-adjustable skid pads protect your table and floor from scratches or scuffs, making it easy to clean.

Pretty solution for your cluttered desk!

22. Outdoor String Lights

Outdoor string lights are a must for the holidays. They add a touch of festivity and cheer to any setting. I highly recommend these weatherproof string lights. They are beautiful, durable, and long-lasting.

This is more of the ambiance you have wanted on your patio, right? Each set is 25 ft, 50 ft or 100 ft in length.

Perfect to decorate your outdoor space!

23. Rain Shower Head

This rain shower head is a great upgrade from an old, rusty shower head. It provides good water pressure and is easy to install.

As for the shower head set, it comes with an 8′ large square rainfall showerhead, a high pressure handheld shower head, and a filter. The 8′ large square rainfall showerhead has a 360 rotation angle-adjustable solid ball joint nut for reliable leak-free connection and different angle position showers needs. The 5 setting handheld shower head is suitable for baby shower, massage or pets shower, etc.

Time for a quiet shower with your newly installed rain shower head and your Bluetooth speaker!

24. Collapsible Folding Tailgating Table

If you’re looking for the best gift for a tailgater, look no further than a collapsible folding tailgating table!

This gift is perfect for someone who needs to set up multiple tables in short periods of time. Plus, it’s very easy to transport and store – perfect for when you need to take your gear on the go!

Also perfect for the sports family who is always on the go and setting up meals in the parking lot of a sports complex.

25. UV Smartphone Sanitizer

The smartphone Sanitizer is a device used to clean your phone of germs and bacteria. It can be used for things like jewelry or even keyboards.

The sanitizer kills 99% of germs in 5-10 minutes and comes with a charger! This portable charger is affordable, easy to carry, and may be the answer to what I want for Christmas.

No more germs around the things you touch the most. Get your UV sanitizer for your home.

26. A Vitamix because you deserve it

A Vitamix blender is a great gift for anyone who loves to cook and wants to eat healthier. They are known for their high-quality construction, durability, and powerful motors that can blend even the toughest ingredients.

The variable speed control allows you to customize your blending experience, while the large batches make it perfect for preparing food for a crowd.

It has a 7- year full warranty, meaning that it will be covered for any damage or defects for the first seven years after purchase. I can attest they stand by this because my motor was replaced and it runs like new!

Best Christmas gift to myself – my Vitamix!

27. MICHLEY Unbreakable Wine Glasses

If you’re looking for a great gift for clumsy drinkers, look no further than the MICHLEY Unbreakable Wine Glasses!

These glasses are made of durable plastic and can withstand even the most strenuous of drinking sessions. Whether your loved one is an occasional drinker or not, these glasses will make sure their wine never ends up on the floor again. So why not give them the gift of unbreakable wine glasses this Christmas?

28. Bathtub Caddy with Gold Handles

This bathtub caddy is handmade and made to order.

You can choose from 20 different color options, and the board is made of knotty pine planks.

Imagine relaxing after a stressful day!  Great for setting drinks, food, books, etc. Wouldn’t this be a perfect addition to your bathroom?

29. Subscription Gift Sets for Women

There are many different sets to choose from, so you’re sure to find one that fits the woman’s personality.

If she’s into fashion, consider buying her a set that includes designer handbags, jewelry, clothes, or tickets to a show. Or if she’s more of a homebody, go for a set that includes candles, bath salts, and other relaxation items.

No matter what set you choose, the woman is sure to appreciate your thoughtfulness. So why not surprise her with a gift set this Christmas? She’ll love you for it!

30. Yoga Leggings

Looking for a comfortable and stylish pair of leggings to wear this holiday season?

Look no further than the Healthyoga Yoga Pants! Made with a breathable and soft fabric, as well as a high-waisted fit, these leggings are perfect for people who work out or just want to feel comfortable during the holiday season. Plus, they come in several colors and patterns, including one that features beautiful butterflies.

Please don’t tell anyone how many pairs I already own; yet, I still want more!

What’s more, these leggings are perfect for people who like to take their workouts outdoors. They do not ride up when in the squat position, and they also have a handy pocket that is the perfect place to store essentials like your ID, phone, or keys. So don’t wait any longer–order your yoga pants today!

What Christmas Gifts Do I Want?

Christmas is a time where we all get together with our loved ones and exchange gifts.

It’s always a lot of fun to see what everyone gets, but sometimes it can be difficult to come up with ideas for what to put on your wish list.

If you’re struggling to come up with some ideas, don’t worry we included plenty of gift ideas to help you out!

What to consider when buying a gift for someone?

When buying a gift for someone, it is important to consider their interests and what will make them happy. It is also important to think about the occasion and what type of gift will be appropriate. If you are not sure what to get someone, it is always a good idea to ask them what they would like.

Another option is to give a handmade gift. This could be anything from a cake or cookies to jewelry or a scarf. The advantage of this type of present is that it’s personal and made by you, which makes it extra special.

Finally, if you’re still stuck for ideas, why not give a gift card? This gives the person receiving the present the freedom to choose something they really want. It also means you don’t have to worry about getting the wrong thing!

When buying someone a Christmas gift, it’s important to put some thought into it and make sure it’s something they’ll really like.

what do u want for christmas

That’s the question on everyone’s mind this time of year. And most of us are too afraid to articulate. Maybe you are hoping for a new outfit. Or maybe you’re hoping for something a little more luxurious, like a trip to Europe. 

First, you need to be open and honest about what you want for Christmas. 

We all want… Santa to come bearing gifts!

Now, Share What Do I Want For Christmas

I have you covered. Share this post with family and friends with numbers of which gifts were intriguing to you.

That takes the awkward conversation of gifts during the holidays.

Christmas is about love, joy, and giving gifts – not about getting the most expensive thing on the wish list.

But, here are the must-have items we heard loud and clear when asking around about what do I want for Christmas.

This will guarantee success this Christmas season and beyond!

Even better, you can order online from the comfort of your own home! Right now!

Also, this article has something for everyone and is perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for a gift for Christmas, Hanukkah, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or just because!

Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!

Source: moneybliss.org

Apache is functioning normally

There’s always a lot of fuss this time a year about gift cards. Some people love them, and some people hate them. I’m sort of in the middle.

  • On the one hand, I continue to believe that anything a big company wants you to purchase is probably not in your best interest. That is, if a mega-corporation is all fired up to sell gift cards, you can bet they’re a profit center, which probably means they’re rigged against consumers.
  • On the other hand, gift cards are convenient. They’re easy to give, and they’re generally easy to use. There are many circumstances in which gift cards make great gifts.

Related >> Discounted Gift Cards: The New Coupon

I like to receive gift cards for certain stores. Over the past year, for example, I’ve accumulated $185 in Land’s End gift cards, and I wouldn’t be surprised to receive more this Christmas. I haven’t used any of them yet, though I’ve checked to be sure I’m not going to get dinged because of it. Sometime this spring, after my birthday, I’m going to have an on-line shopping spree — and it won’t cost me a dime.

Still, the critics have some valid complaints.

The Problems With Gift Cards

Last week, my cousin reminded me of a gift card that Kris and I gave him a couple years ago. “It was a nice gesture,” he said, “and I know you meant well, but it’s not anything I’ll ever use. It’s been sitting on the kitchen counter for two years, and will probably be sitting there two years from now.”

That’s one problem with gift cards — here are some others:

  • They expire. Some gift cards carry an expiration date. The recipient must use the card within a certain amount of time, or the card becomes unusable.
  • They have fees. Some gift cards — especially those issued by banks — carry fees for various events. Some even charge to use the card. (In August, Tim shared how a gift card from Bank of America carried fees for checking the balance.)
  • They can be difficult to use. Did you buy a CompUSA gift card for somebody this Christmas? Oops. CompUSA is going out of business — suddenly there’s a very real deadline to use that card. And what if you buy a gift card for somebody but the store doesn’t do business where the recipient lives? Not all gift cards are convenient.
  • They carry an obligation. When you give a tie to your father, there’s nothing else he has to do use the gift. But when you give a gift card, your father must go to the store to use it. This often means that he has to spend additional money to find something he likes. Gift cards can force the recipient to spend money on his own gift!

Because of the potential problems, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has issued a consumer alert on buying, giving, and using gift cards.

Using Gift Cards Wisely

Despite the naysayers, Americans love gift cards. They love to give them, and they love to receive them. According to the December 2007 issue of the Consumer Reports Money Advisor, last year gift cards were the second-most popular gift to give. They were also the gift that women most wanted to receive. (They were number three on the list for men.)

According to both FTC and Money Advisor, there are few simple steps that gift card recipients can take to minimize potential problems:

  • Read the terms and conditions when you receive the card so that you understand your rights.
  • Register your card if it instructs you to do so. This gives you protection if the card is lost or stolen.
  • Use the card as soon as possible. Unless you know that the card has no hidden fees or expiration date, make it a priority to use it. If you wait, you may be in for a nasty surprise.
  • Report problems either to the company that issued the card, or to the Federal Trade Commission, whichever is appropriate for your circumstance.

Related >> Picking the right high-yield savings

The FTC also notes:

If your card expires before you’ve had a chance to use it or exhaust its value, contact the issuer. They may extend the date, although they may charge a fee to do it. Some merchants have stopped charging inactivity fees or imposing expiration dates, so it pays to check with the issuer to make sure you’ve got the most up-to-date information.

When giving gift cards, always include a copy of the receipt. Some card issuers require a receipt to replace a lost or stolen card. Also, do your best to research possible hidden fees or other nuisances (such as expiration dates).

Further Reading

Blogger Lazy Man recently explained why he buys gift cards. He thinks it’s more acceptable to give a gift card than money, likes that recipients can pick their own gifts, and is happy that he can save a little cash when buying them. Jim at Blueprint for Financial Prosperity, on the other hand, doesn’t like them. Finally, Liz Pulliam Weston says that gift cards are not gifts.

Source: getrichslowly.org

Apache is functioning normally

I recently came across an interesting statistic. According to a poll from Harris Interactive, 41 percent of people rarely or never redeem their credit card rewards. It almost hurts to know all of those rewards are going to waste. A more recent study found that 73 percent of Americans are enrolled in rewards programs but have no idea how many points they have.

That used to be me. I discovered the magic of rewards points sometime right after college, when I finally started to take an interest in my financial situation. I wondered what the large number looming above my account number was, and, next thing I knew, years of unknowingly accumulating rewards points turned into a $100 statement credit.

Since then, I’ve been taking full advantage. I use my credit card like a debit card, budgeting and paying off everything I spend. My card doesn’t carry a fee, and I don’t rack up consumer debt — I just earn points. And as modest an amount as it may be, I always get a little excited when I periodically redeem my rewards.

How do you use your rewards?

Mad money

Here’s something about me a lot of people don’t know: I like buying clothes. This may seem uncharacteristic for a couple of reasons, one being that I call myself frugal, and, second, I dress like crap. Still, I love buying clothes. Mostly cardigans.

But I also don’t like spending money right now, because I’m trying to save up for something that I deem more important than fashion. There’s certainly nothing wrong with spending your money on cardigans. But for someone who’s trying to save, cardigans have become a weakness.

To make myself feel a little better, I automatically categorize my cash rewards as “shopping money.” This gives me a small budget to occasionally indulge a temptation.

Obviously, I could just as easily budget for this using my income, and the numbers would be the same. Maybe this is a silly psychological mind game I play with myself, but hey, it works, as it satisfies my nagging inner consumer.

Goals

After college, my goal was paying off my student loan debt. I used any and all extra cash I’d earn from anything, including rewards points, to accomplish that goal.

But again, that was student loan debt. If you’ve got consumer debt, you probably don’t want to put out a fire by playing with one. In fact, I’d be careful about using a credit card altogether.

Travel

I have a cash back card now, but even when I had a points-based rewards card, I never redeemed my points for travel.

With my old card, the travel deals were really terrible — I could always find cheaper flights without them — so I’d just redeem my points for cash, because they were worth more that way. If I can get more in cash than the trip is worth, I’m going with cash.

But this doesn’t take into consideration luxury travel — fancy hotels and first-class flights. Instead of comparing value using the cheapest travel option, some people might prefer to use their rewards points to pay for things they couldn’t otherwise afford. Guest writer Hilary Stockton wrote about her own experiences with luxury travel using a travel rewards card. She makes a compelling argument, and the photos don’t hurt, either.

I’m not experienced in this area, so feel free to elaborate on how you determine the value of your rewards travel.

Stuff

There’s also the option of trading your rewards points in for Stuff, but according to this report, that’s a terrible idea:

“Merchandise awards typically return only one cent in value for each point or mile spent, and that is only if you consider the product’s full retail price. In fact, cardholders are getting less than one cent in value for their points…when they likely could have purchased the items at a discount and received additional rewards from using their credit card for the transaction.”

Donate

Some people feel a little guilty about getting free money, even if it is, ultimately, part of a sales promotion from a large credit card company. Redeeming your rewards for a cash donation to a charity might be a good option for those feeling a little guilt-stricken or those who just want to do a good thing. Just make sure the amount they donate is the equal of or greater than the value in cash; otherwise, you might as well just give cash.

(I understand there are other ethical concerns about using credit cards, namely dealing with small businesses and transaction fees. That’s perhaps a topic for another post, but yeah, I understand that donating to a charity doesn’t assuage those larger concerns.)

Set and forget

There’s also the option of simply redeeming your points for statement credit and not putting too much thought into it, which is just fine, too. I also used to do that. It’s not as fun, but your budget is the same either way. I have Capital One’s Cash Rewards card now, and they even offer an option for auto-redemption.

Other Fun Hacks:

Combining With Other Programs

A few times now, I’ve booked travel on Priceline or Expedia using Mypoints.com. I log onto the site, go to Priceline, then use my credit card to pay for the ticket and also use my frequent flier number. Thus, I rack up airline miles, rewards points and Mypoints (which I later redeem for gift cards).

Churning

Holly wrote about this a while back, and while I lack the stamina for churning, she was able to take advantage of several credit card offers. She did warn about the possibility of this affecting one’s credit score, but churning has really worked for her.

My Rewards Work for Me, Not the Other Way Around

I earn points on things I already buy; I don’t buy things just to earn rewards.

Here’s an example. When I wrote about revisiting the envelope system, a couple of readers were concerned about losing rewards by paying with cash. But the thing is, earning rewards doesn’t dictate my spending or my budget. Sure, I use my rewards for mad money, but I’m not going to make significant decisions about my budget based on earning more rewards. So if the envelope system helps me to save hundreds of dollars a month, well, then, I’m just going to have to stand to lose the $3.56 I’d earn in rewards by using my card for groceries.

Rewards are awesome, but they’re an ancillary bonus, not something I consider a steady profit.

My rewards card also offers higher percentages of cash back at certain stores. I’m careful not to get so caught up in the coolness of rewards points that I spend money at places I wouldn’t otherwise spend money.

However, I love Trader Joe’s. Unfortunately, the store by my house is almost always packed, and I hate looking for parking, so I usually shop a little farther up the road at Ralph’s. But when I discovered I could earn a significantly higher cash back percentage at Trader Joe’s, I dealt with the parking headache.

As I mentioned, I use my rewards card like a debit card. I used to actually be able to put money on my card so that it would carry a credit. From there, I’d simply use up that credit until my balance reached $0.00. I’d still rack up points, but I was never carrying a balance on the card. But when I switched to the Capital One card, this was no longer possible; they don’t allow me to pay anything more than my balance. So I have to be a bit more careful, but hey, that’s what a budget is for.

At any rate, these are my experiences in dealing with rewards programs. Like couponing or any other frugal tactic, I don’t spend a whole lot of time analyzing the many ways I could save, because, at some point, my time is more valuable. But I still enjoy taking advantage of the rewards. So what are your experiences? How do you redeem your rewards, and what frugal tricks have you learned along the way?

Source: getrichslowly.org