Budgeting for the rest of us

Month: January 2019

  • These Valentine’s Day Gifts Are a Waste of Money (Here’s What to Give Instead)

    These Valentine’s Day Gifts Are a Waste of Money (Here’s What to Give Instead)

    Pixabay

    The most loved-up day of the year is just a weeks away and while some may find this “occasion” ridiculous and useless, others go all out to make their lovers feel special on Valentine’s Day. No wonder this holiday has become a billion dollar industry.

    Believe it or not, U.S. consumers are expected to spend an average $143.56 on Valentine’s Day this year, with a total spending anticipated to reach a whopping $19.6 billion.

    CRAZY. 

    There’s nothing wrong with showing love through material things, but let’s face it, some gifts are just meaningless and not worth spending on.

    Let me name a few and share with you some ideas of what to give instead.

    Bouquet of roses.

    A lot of you may disagree with me but we all know flowers cost a lot during this time of the year. And while it may look pretty for a few days, it’ll just make their way to the trash in about a week.

    A delightful arrangement of Valentine’s Day colored roses would cost you around $60-$90, which has a very short shelf life. If you want something that won’t quickly go to waste, get her one of these preserved roses that can last 2-5 years.

    Another wise idea would be a flowering plant that you can both take care together.  African violets, Peace Lilies, Orchids and Red-flowered Anthurium are perfect for Valentine’s, as they can bloom year-round indoors in the right light conditions.

    A fancy greeting card.

    You don’t need to buy a pre-made card in order to express your love to your significant other through words.

    Instead, make your own card or just write a simple handwritten letter. Trust me, this is more special and will be more appreciated.

    Box of chocolates.

    Sweets for your sweet, of course. Chocolates have become a traditional gift during this season but unless your sweetheart is really a chocoholic, then you’re just wasting money when you can just spend it on something they will fancy even more.  I, for example, would rather eat candies, gummy bears and potato chips rather then chocolates. So if you’re planning to get your partner an edible gift for Valentine’s, get something that he/she really likes, whether it’s sushi, donuts or guilt-free healthy treats.

    Dinner at a fancy restaurant.

    Treating your lover to a fancy dinner on Valentine’s Day can be a memorable date night, but you will certainly spend a lot of money and just find yourselves stressing over how crowded the restaurant may be.

    Well, you don’t have to spend that much when you can just whip up your partner’s favorite meal and have a romantic and cozy Valentine’s date night at home. If you got zero cooking skills, you can just order a meal delivery service that already comes with fresh, perfectly-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow step by step guide to help you prepare a gourmet meal in just about half an hour.

    It is definitely possible and even more meaningful to make your significant other feel special, appreciated and loved in an unconventional, non-traditional and budget friendly way.

    Celebrating Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to cost a fortune. At the end of the day, it’s all about what happens all-year round.

    It’s not about the gifts. It’s about making them feel loved every single day of the year. Because that’s what true love is all about.

  • Where to Sell Your Unwanted Gift Cards from the Holidays

    Where to Sell Your Unwanted Gift Cards from the Holidays

    Pixabay

    And just like that, Christmas season is officially over.  Most probably, you’re left with a stack of gift cards that may or may not be put to good use.

    Gift cards are always given with good intentions but sometimes, receiving cards that you can never see yourself using is inevitable.  I mean, your next-door neighbor had no idea that you’re not a coffee drinker.  And your boss probably didn’t know that you’re on a low-carb diet.

    As a result, it just ends up inside your drawer, collecting dust and eventually expiring.

    Whatever the reason is, these unwanted gift cards should not go to waste.  Instead of letting collect dust inside your drawer, why not make money out of it?  Yup, you can always sell those unwanted gift cards for cash through these trusted online portals.

    Cardpool 

    Get up to 92% cash back on Cardpool from those physical and online gift cards where you can choose between two payout options –  Amazon eGift cards that you can redeem from your email address within 1 business day or a paper check that will be mailed directly to your address after 5-10 business days.

    Once you accepted the offer presented to you, your payout will immediately be processed.  If you don’t want to make your transaction online, you can visit one of their physical stores and walk out with cash or credit.

    Cardkangaroo

    Just like the Cardpool, you can also receive up to 92% of your card value when you sell through this site. But aside from selling (and buying) gift cards, you can also opt to trade it for a gift card that you will surely use.

    As for payout options, you can get your money through Paypal or Check. Once your gift cards are verified by the company, your payment will be sent immediately if through Paypal, 3-7 days if you choose check via USPS First Class mail.

    For trade ins, you can choose between exchanging it for an electronic gift card (that will be sent to your email immediately) or be mailed as a physical card (which can take around 2-5 business days).

    And oh, if you have a stack of cards to sell or trade, make sure to contact them beforehand because they offer a different rate for Bulk Selling.

    Cardcash

    Next is Cardcash.com, a site that also offers up to 92% selling value, and much higher for trade ins. You can get your payments through check, ACH deposit and Paypal. Make sure your gift card doesn’t have an expiration date because they have restrictions around certain promotional gift cards that work only in certain locations or on specific products.

    If you don’t want to sell through these sites, there’s always Ebay or Craigslist to put your cards up for sale.

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