Christmas

All the Ways You Can Score More Points and Miles This Holiday Season

Holly Johnson — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 08:00:06 +0000

The National Retail Federation (NRF) reports that Americans will spend an estimated $727.9 billion to $730.7 billion on their holiday purchases in 2019. This estimate doesn't even include extra expenditures on gas, dining, or holiday travel.

This means that, like it or not, most of us are spending a hefty sum of cash on gifts for family and friends. And many of us are paying the high costs of holiday travel on top of that, whether it's for a road trip, a flight across the world, or a holiday soirée with extended family closer to home.

If you've set money aside all year long, this may not surprise you or throw your budget far off track. However, it would be a shame not to maximize the extra purchases you'll need to make anyway — especially since you can leverage holiday bills to earn more points and miles.

Use holiday spending to earn major points

By and large, the best way to earn more cash back or travel rewards is by using a rewards credit card for everything you buy. Most of the top rewards and travel credit cards give you one to three points for each dollar you spend, making it easy to rack up more and more points when you have big upcoming expenses, like the holidays.

However, you can boost your rewards quite a bit if you leverage holiday spending to earn a sign-up bonus on a new card. Many of the top cards offer 50,000 points or more if you can spend a few thousand dollars within a few months, and holiday spending could easily help you reach the required threshold.

Also note that you could use holiday travel bills to start racking up another type of rewards if you're ready to diversify. You could sign up for an airline credit card that doles out airline miles, for example, a hotel credit card, or a card that earns flexible travel credit.

Earn more points on holiday dining

Like it or not, holiday shopping and other events can easily cause families to dine out more than normal. If you want to capitalize on your extra meals out, you can always sign up for an airline dining program like Delta SkyMiles Dining or Southwest Rapid Rewards Dining.

These airline dining programs and others let you earn miles each time you dine at a participating restaurant and pay with a credit card connected to your account. Some also offer a "sign-up bonus" of sorts. With Delta SkyMiles Dining, for example, you can currently earn 3,000 bonus miles when you spend at least $30 at three participating restaurants and complete online reviews for each within 30 days.

Use shopping portals for all your holiday shopping

If you shop online, you'll absolutely want to figure out which portals can help you earn the most points and miles — or at least the type of points and miles you want to earn. Most major airlines have their own shopping portals, but hotel brands and bank-based loyalty programs have them too.

While you can earn airline miles or hotel points through shopping portals without having a co-branded credit card in most cases, you'll need to have the right credit card to earn bank-based rewards.

Regardless, shopping portals all work in the same way. To earn bonus points, all you have to do is log into your account and "click through" the portal before you shop online with a participating store. You’ll find common big name stores such as Kohl's, Macys, Home Depot, and Best Buy. And remember, the bonus points you earn by shopping in a portal are offered on top of rewards you earn by paying with a rewards credit card.

Take advantage of category bonuses

Remember to check if any of your rewards cards offer bonus categories that might line up nicely with your holiday shopping or travel plans. Credit cards with rotating categories generally have popular stores for their 4th quarter bonus categories.

Use portals when you book holiday travel

Finally, don't forget that you can earn extra points and miles when you book and pay for holiday travel for yourself and your family. You'll just have to get creative and do some research to figure out the best way to make the most of your plans.

Let's say you want to rack up more points in the Southwest Rapid Rewards program, for example. In this case, you'll probably be delighted to know that you can earn Southwest points if you log into your account and use their portal to book rental cars, vacation packages, hotels, and more. In fact, most airline programs let you earn miles when you use them to book rental cars, hotels, and other travel accommodations, so make sure to check with your favorite program.

Keep in mind that a handful of hotel booking websites let you earn airline miles for booking hotels. PointsHound and Rocketmiles are two of the most popular, both letting you earn thousands of miles per night in programs like Etihad Guest, Air France/Flying Blue, and Southwest Rapid Rewards.

And make sure you have a rewards card that will give you extra points when you fill up your gas tank, particularly if you're planning a holiday road trip. A handful of cash back credit cards offer bonus points for gas purchases each year with no annual fee, making them a no-brainer.

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This article is from Holly Johnson of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

7 Fastest Ways to Recover From Holiday Overspending

Dan Rafter — Tue, 02 Jan 2018 10:00:06 +0000

Consumers said they planned to spend an average $967 during the 2017 holiday season, according to research from the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.

That's a lot of money, and you can bet that plenty of holiday shoppers blew their budgets in the process. But here's some good news: Even if you were overly generous this season, you can take steps to recover financially from all that holiday overspending. (See also: 8 Secrets to a Debt-Free Holiday Season)

1. Return what you don't want

If you were generous with others this holiday season, they might have been equally generous with you. This means you might have plenty of holiday gifts sitting around — maybe some gifts you don't even want or need.

If you have the receipts, by all means, return them. Hopefully, you can get cash in exchange. But even if you can't, you'll probably be able to turn your unwanted gifts into store credit. You can then shop at that store on someone else's dime without dipping into your own wallet.

Don't worry about hurting someone's feelings here. The main point is to get back on your feet financially, and every little bit helps. (Besides, you don't have to tell Aunt Julia that you aren't going to wear that sweater.)

2. Use those gift cards

The odds are high that you received gift cards this year. The National Retail Federation estimated that 2017 holiday shoppers each planned to purchase around four gift cards with an average value of $45 per card.

Too many people throw them in a drawer or tuck them in a wallet and then forget about them. If you got gift cards, use them. Again, these handy cards will let you purchase clothing, electronics, or restaurant meals without you having to spend your own cash. Then, send the dollars you're saving on those splurges toward paying down credit card or other high-interest debt. (See also: How to Turn Unwanted Gift Cards Into Cash)

3. Pay more than the minimum on your credit cards

You might not want to think about credit card debt right after the holidays, but it's important to not ignore it. Whatever you do, don't only make the minimum required payment. If you do, it can take you years, and cost loads of interest, to pay off that debt.

Say you owe $7,000 on a credit card with an interest rate of 18 percent. If you make the 4 percent minimum required payment each month, it will take you 147 months — or more than 12 years — to pay off that debt. You'll also pay a total of more than $11,000 on the card. And that assumes you don't make any additional purchases with it.

Your goal is to pay off more than the minimum every month. Otherwise, you'll be paying off those holiday mittens and scarves for years. (See also: Dealing With Post-Holiday Credit Card Debt)

4. Stop adding to your debt

Of course, you'll struggle to ever pay off your holiday debt if you don't first stop adding to it. Make a resolution to stop using your credit cards to pay for items. Instead, use your debit cards or cash for your purchases.

This will require planning, and maybe a bit of sacrifice. You might have to wait to buy that new laptop until you've saved up enough to pay for it in cash. But you'll be thankful as you watch that credit card debt steadily disappear.

5. Start an emergency fund

If you've resolved to pay down your holiday debt, you'll need savings. What if your water heater bursts or your car conks out? If you don't have any money saved up, you'll have to put those repairs on your credit cards, adding more to your debt levels.

A better move is to start creating an emergency fund. As the name suggests, an emergency fund is a stash of cash that you stow in a safe place, like a savings account. You withdraw from the fund to cover any unexpected emergencies.

You'll eventually want an emergency fund that has from six months' to a year's worth of daily living expenses in it. That may sound intimidating, but you can start slowly. By investing at least $200 a month in an emergency fund, you'll have $2,400 by the time a year passes. (See also: 7 Easy Ways to Build an Emergency Fund From $0)

6. Make some sacrifices

The more money you have to devote to your holiday debt, the better. Start the new year by cutting back on unnecessary expenses. All those trips to restaurants and the movies add up. If you cut down on your discretionary spending, you might have $200 or more extra each month to put toward reducing your holiday debt.

7. Get in selling mode

Maybe you received plenty of stuff during the holiday season — you might even have too much stuff. If so, sell some of it off, either online or through a yard sale. The extra money you make by selling a Crock-Pot or tablet that you no longer need can bring in some much-needed extra cash that you can use to pay down that mountain of debt.

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This article is from Dan Rafter of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

8 Fabulous Last-Minute Places to Spend New Year's

Mikey Rox — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 09:01:07 +0000

Still without plans to ring in 2018? It's not too late to book a New Year's Eve getaway. You just need to know where to go. Get in gear for the New Year with these fab-but-affordable destinations that promise plenty of holiday cheer.

1. Durham, North Carolina

Head south to enjoy temperate weather while you give 2017 the kiss-off with a stay at the ultra-stylish and super-chic Unscripted Durham Hotel, the rooms at which start at just $169/night for the holiday. New Year's Eve festivities (tickets are $39-$49 per person) include entertainment in the rec-room-style lobby with Champagne and hors d'oeuvres; music by local DJ Guv'nor; and a tarot card reader who'll give you a sneak peek at what's ahead. During your stay, visit the on-premise all-day, a coffee shop/wine bar.

2. Orange, Virginia

Dodge the crowds and cozy up in the quaint town of Orange, Virginia, at the historic Holladay House Bed and Breakfast — it's nearly 190 years old — where you'll spend an elegant New Year's Eve just like our ancestors did. Well, sort of. Reservations will be made on your behalf at one of six local restaurants where you can enjoy a delicious dinner before watching the ball drop and tucking yourself in for a restful night's sleep. You can take your time in the morning since breakfast hours will be extended and checkout isn't until noon. If you plan a three-night stay, you can score 25 percent off the third night with code HOLIDAY25 at checkout, bringing the grand total to around $500. Pretty good price to crash just a few miles away from James and Dolley Madison's Montpelier home, which you should definitely visit while you're in town.

3. Minneapolis, Minnesota

Wanna get hygge with it? Pronounced hoo-guh, hygge is a Scandinavian concept that embodies coziness and contentment, and there's no better place to hand over the holiday reins in that regard than in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, where you'll find hygge virtually everywhere. Sip hot cocoa at a ski lodge, bask in the glow of a fireplace at a bed-and-breakfast, snowshoe by candlelight, gaze upon the majestic Northern Lights, and thaw out at one of the local spas — all to your wallet's delight. In fact, many outdoor activities are free or inexpensive (11 state parks across Minnesota are hosting free, guided First Day Hikes to kick off 2018), and nearby resorts and lodges offer prime deals during winter months, including New Year's Eve.

4. Las Vegas, Nevada

You won't need to buy tickets to a fancy party if you're spending the last night of 2017 in Sin City. Everybody pours out of the casinos onto the Strip to watch the choreographed fireworks display while throwin' a few back (sidewalk drinks are legal in Vegas, y'all!), and you can score incredible deals like $163 a night at the 3.5-star rated Stratosphere hotel, available on value-hotel search site GoSeek.com.

5. Shenandoah Valley

Bring a big group or plan a private New Year's getaway with your S.O. with the help of Allstar Lodging in the Shenandoah Valley, which offers rental cabins, cottages, and vacation homes close to lots of attractions, including Luray Caverns, George Washington National Forest, Shenandoah River State Park, and a wealth of outdoor activities, like hiking, horseback riding, snow skiing, and tubing. Couples can cop a comfy cabin starting at $125 per night, but if you make it a family or buddies' weekend rates can dip as low $50 per person for larger groups.

6. New Orleans, Louisiana

The Papa Noel package at New Orleans' Windsor Court offers guests up to 20 percent off the best available rate (rates start at $188) from now to January 6. Guests can ring in 2018 at The Grill Room as its masterful culinary team presents a festive four-course meal to kick off the celebration. For $95 per person, plus tax and gratuity, guests can choose from delectable menu items such as poached lobster, rack of lamb, and cranberry bread pudding. After dinner, stop by the Polo Club Lounge to enjoy live jazz and a selection of fresh-start Champagne while watching the ball drop.

7. Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Make your New Year's festivities a wet-and-wild, budget-friendly family affair in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, where the Glenwood Springs Athletic Club will stay open until 1 a.m. to usher in 2018. The alcohol-free event will feature a handstand contest and ping-pong scramble at 7 p.m. followed by dive and cannonball contests at 8 p.m. Other activities will include a noodle relay, Marco Polo, crocodile wrestling (not with real crocodiles) and a friendly game of sharks and minnows. As the clock approaches midnight, pool staff will hand out party favors and noisemakers. Kids younger than age 12 ski free with the Ski, Swim, Stay package at Sunlight Mountain Resort; the bundle includes a lift ticket to Sunlight Mountain resort, admission to the world-famous Glenwood Hot Springs pool, and overnight accommodations at one of the participating lodges in town where offers start as low as $99 per night.

8. Michigan City, Indiana

You won't have to lift a finger during your stay at the peaceful Serenity Springs woodland oasis, which — for about $600 total for the weekend — includes a full-service stay in a secluded cabin. Amenities include a butler door with light switches that indicate when service has been delivered to your cabin (food, fun surprises); carriage rides, which are available to and from your cabin upon check-in and check-out, and for any other outings you'd like to take; heated floors; fireplaces; in-cabin massages; candlelit dinners in your cabin with food from local restaurants; and personal outdoor fire pits for getting all snuggly under the covers.

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This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

7 Organizations That Need Your Help During Christmas

Kat Tretina — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 09:00:09 +0000

There are people in your community right now who are struggling with financial problems, illness, and homelessness. Although you want to help, you might be on a tight budget yourself; and you don't have enough to donate to the various causes. Thankfully, you can still contribute in a meaningful way by volunteering.

Christmas can be a wonderful occasion to volunteer your time, as many groups need extra help around the holidays. If you're looking for a volunteer opportunity, these seven organizations are still in need of help. (See also: 8 Charities You Can Trust With Your Holiday Donations)

1. Knit for the Gift of Life

If you enjoy knitting, the Gift of Life needs your skills. It's an organization that is dedicated to helping and supporting parents of premature babies and babies in neonatal intensive care units. Many families will be spending Christmas Day in the hospital to be near their babies.

The Gift of Life collects stuffed bears and beanies to distribute to families at Christmastime to provide comfort and hope. The organization needs knitters and crocheters to create the bears and hats. You can contact them to volunteer and they will send you the hat sizes and patterns they need.

2. Wrap presents for the American Red Cross

You might have taken advantage of American Red Cross wrapping booths in the past, yourself. They're common in shopping malls nationwide during the holiday season. Volunteers wrap shoppers' presents for them in return for a donation. It's an effective fundraiser that goes toward disaster relief and support for the military.

If you enjoy wrapping presents, you can find seasonal American Red Cross volunteer gigs on VolunteerMatch.org or by contacting your local chapter office.

3. Deliver hot meals with Little Brothers: Friends of the Elderly

Many elderly or disabled individuals are homebound and cannot go to the grocery store for food. Or, they might not have family to help them and are completely isolated. They often rely on organizations like Meals on Wheels for hot meals and companionship.

However, Meals on Wheels is not open on Christmas Day. Little Brothers: Friends of the Elderly chapters fill the gap by delivering hot meals directly to individuals' homes, ensuring they're not alone on Christmas Day. Contact your local chapter office to sign up to become a deliverer.

4. Cheer hospital patients with the Salvation Army

Spending the holidays in the hospital can be a very grim and lonely experience. As part of its holiday efforts, Salvation Army chapters nationwide arrange for hospital and nursing home visits. Volunteers sit with patients on Christmas Day. It can be uplifting for patients, especially for children and the elderly. You can contact your local Salvation Army chapter to inquire about visitation schedules.

5. Distribute warm clothes with Goodwill

While many children are dreaming of new video games, others just wish for a warm coat. Each year, Goodwill chapters collect new and gently used coats, shoes, and gloves for both children and adults. You can contact your local chapter to volunteer, or you can help by collecting gently used warm clothing from family and friends.

6. Assemble hygiene kits for the Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Unfortunately, the National Domestic Violence Hotline receives hundreds of phone calls on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and throughout the holiday season from victims of domestic abuse in need of help. Some are connected with local shelters so they can get to a safe place.

When victims of domestic abuse leave their abuser, they often have to leave suddenly with just the clothes on their back. They might arrive at the shelter without even a toothbrush. The local chapters of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence need help collecting new supplies and assembling hygiene kits. Contact your local coalition office to volunteer or donate supplies.

7. Visit nursing home residents with the Holiday Project

The Holiday Project is an organization devoted to making visiting people in nursing homes, hospitals, or other residential institutions a normal holiday tradition. It arranges for volunteers to visit nursing home residents, who are often without family and may never receive visitors otherwise. During your visit, you might sing Christmas carols, hang up decorations, or play games with residents. You can find a list of existing groups or learn how to create your own group by visiting HolidayProject.info.

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This article is from Kat Tretina of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Best Money Tips: Things That Are Cheaper After Christmas

Amy Lu — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 09:30:11 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found articles on things that are cheaper after Christmas, how to survive long flights, and tips to avoid a charity scam.

Best Money Tips: Ways to Earn an Extra $1,000 for Christmas

Amy Lu — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 09:30:11 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found articles on ways to earn an extra grand for Christmas, things to get rid of by the end of the year, and ways to earn cash for cardboard.

6 Smart Financial Gifts to Give Your Kids This Year

Damian Davila — Fri, 01 Dec 2017 09:00:06 +0000

American poet Maya Angelou said it best: "When you know better, you do better." The earlier that your kids develop good financial habits, the brighter their financial future will be.

With the holidays right around the corner, now is the perfect time to set your sights on one or more of these financial gifts that will help your kids learn about, respect, and appreciate money.

1. Monopoly

Since 1935, this classic board game has entertained millions of people around the world. Turns out that playing rounds with "Monopoly money" can actually help build real life financial skills, such as negotiation, money management, and diversification. Plus, a round of Monopoly is a good way to practice arithmetic and social skills. (See also: Holiday Gifts: TK Fun Games That Teach Money and Finance)

2. Custodial investment account

Most brokerage firms offer a custodial account that allows children to get a first taste of investing in the stock market under the supervision of a parent or guardian. With as little as $100, you could open a custodial account and let your kid make decisions about what stocks to hold or sell.

In 2017, you can contribute up to $14,000 to a custodial account and still avoid gift taxes. In 2018, the annual federal gift exclusion moves up to $15,000. Your kid's custodial account is under your control until your kid legally becomes an adult, which happens somewhere between age 18 and 21, depending on your state's rules.

A custodial investment account is a great way to get your child excited about investing and let them learn from firsthand experience how the stock market works. (See also: 5 Stocks Your Kids Would Love to Own).

3. Custodial Roth IRA

If your kid is already working a summer job or earning income from their own business, consider setting up a custodial Roth IRA for them. In 2017 and 2018, individuals may contribute up to $5,500 to a custodial Roth IRA. Here are a couple of reasons why this is a good idea:

Your child will have the same contribution limit as an adult, making it a real-life lesson in cultivating a good savings habit.
Your child can get close to a decade of extra compounding interest for their nest egg.
By taking the tax hit now, your child's retirement savings will grow tax-free forever.
Your child will have another "sandbox" in which to make real-life decisions with investments.

Just imagine if you knew how life-changing investing in equities could be at such a young age.

That alone may be the best financial gift for your kid this holiday season! (See also: 10 Investing Lessons You Must Teach Your Kids)

4. 529 savings plan

The average class of 2016 graduate left school with $37,172 in student loan debt. If you could do something now to help prevent your kid from having to take out such costly student loans, that would certainly be a gift worth giving. The good news is you can do this by starting a 529 college savings plan. Eligible education expenses under a 529 plan go beyond tuition and academic fees and include expenses for room and board, transportation, equipment, and accommodations for individuals with special needs.

Contributions to a 529 plan grow tax-free and the money is not taxed when it's withdrawn to pay for college expenses. In addition to federal tax savings, more than 30 states currently offer a full or partial tax deduction or credit for 529 plan contributions. (See also: The 9 Best State 529 College Savings Plans)

5. Cash

Yup, cash is still king. Regardless of their age, your kid will always love receiving a few bills as a gift. The main reason to gift cash during the holiday season is that it opens the door to have an ongoing conversation with your kids about budgeting. With a cash gift, you'll have plenty of chances to talk about what they're planning to buy, what they actually purchase, and how much money they have left. From there, you can start making it a habit to sit down with your son or daughter to talk about finances on a weekly or Bi-Weekly basis. It's a good time to catch up about other non-related finance topics as well. (See also: How to Help Your Kid Build Their First Budget)

6. Checking account with debit card and checkbook

Of course, this would be a great place for any cash gifts that your son or daughter receives from relatives and friends during the holidays (and throughout the year).

While a checking account may not be as exciting as a new Xbox or bike, you can be sure that this gift is the one that your child will be using for the longest time. It's important that your kids start to build experience managing a checking account so they understand how to pay for everyday expenses, build a monthly budget, and safely use debit cards. By covering the ins and outs of how a checking account works when they're young, your kid will have one less thing to stress about as they get a little older or go off to college.

No matter what your child's plans are, anyone can benefit from learning how to use a debit card, write checks, access an online account portal, and read a checking account statement.

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This article is from Damian Davila of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Holiday Gifts: 6 Fun Games That Teach Money and Finance

Emily Guy Birken — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 10:00:06 +0000

When I was growing up, some of my favorite holiday gifts were the board games my parents gave to me and my sister. Not only did receiving a board game ensure that we would be spending time together as a family, but I also loved how new games could teach me different ways of looking at the world, and managing money in particular.

Consider gifting these board games to your kids to get them interested in investing, saving, and spending wisely. (See also: How to Use the Holidays to Teach Kids About Money)

1. Acquire

For 2-6 players, ages 12 and up

Acquire is based on the idea of creating a super city, wherein each player tries to invest strategically in various businesses, including entertainment, food, fashion, marketing, and other major industries. Throughout gameplay, the various "venture capitalists" compete to build the city and try to own the majority shares in the most lucrative businesses. You make money by forming, merging, expanding, and acquiring businesses, and by buying stock at the right time — which makes this game an excellent introduction to how investing works. Whoever has the most money at the end of the game wins.

2. Allowance

For 2-4 players, ages 5-11

As players make their way around the Allowance board, they can earn money by doing chores, starting their own businesses, earning interest on their savings accounts, and of course, by collecting their allowance each time they go "home." On the other hand, players can also spend money at the mall, at garage sales, or simply by losing it out of their pockets. The first player to save up $20 wins the game. Allowance comes with realistic looking play money, and helps teach young children everything from how to make change and count out money to how to save their pennies. (See also: 6 Fun Games That Teach Your Kids About Money)

3. Black Gold

For 2-5 players, ages 13 and up

Imagine you are trying to make your fortune in the oil fields of Texas in 1922. That's the basis for the oil prospecting game Black Gold, where between two and five prospectors compete by exploring the terrain for oil wells, surveying the possible sites, and building derricks. You can earn money by transporting your oil to one of three companies and earning the right to sell at auction. Game play includes bidding, bluffing, and strategizing — which can help your kids learn good negotiation skills while they try to glean the most wealth from their oil wells.

4. Pit

For 3-8 players, ages 7 and up

This game, which was first introduced all the way back in 1904, helps to recreate the now (mostly) defunct open-outcry trading one used to find on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Pit is a card game wherein each player attempts to corner the market in a particular commodity. The winner of any particular hand is the first one to collect all of one commodity, and points are awarded based on the value of the cornered commodity. The overall winner is the first player to score 500 points. Not only will this game give you a chance to shout and wave your arms a la Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy in Trading Places, but it will help you to better understand exactly how commodities traders do their jobs — even if it's mostly handled by computers these days.

5. Stockpile

For 2-5 players, ages 13 and up

Helping your kids understand how the stock market works can be an uphill battle, until you break out this board game. With Stockpile, each player is a stock market investor. The game helps make it clear that everyone knows a little something about the stock market, but no one knows everything. That means each player receives one piece of insider information, but there are plenty of unknowns facing each investor as well. You must consider multiple factors when buying or selling a stock, just as you would in real-world trading. Whoever has the most money at the end of the game wins, but everyone will certainly learn important investment strategy skills from this game.

6. Tin Goose

For 3-5 players, ages 10 and up

In Tin Goose, it's the early days of commercial airlines, and each player is attempting to build a large, profitable airline. You are helped by the fact that planes are becoming safer and more fuel efficient over time. But even as your planes get better, you will also face more and more disastrous potential setbacks such as crashes, worker strikes, and spikes in oil prices. This game will help teach how to balance the emotions of greed and fear while strategizing how to build your business in competition with others.

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This article is from Emily Guy Birken of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

8 Reasons to Skip the Big Holiday Dinner This Year

Paul Michael — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 09:00:06 +0000

It's something you feel like you just can't avoid, and so you do it every year. The big holiday dinner. The one that, supposedly, everyone looks forward to. But do they really? Do you? For some, it can be an awful lot of stress. For others, the thought of those two particular family members in the same house, at the same time, is unbearable. Here's a reminder of why the holidays aren't always festive, and why you might consider opting out. (See also: 8 Ways to Relax Over the Holidays)

1. Do you really need two big dinners in two months?

Let's start with the most obvious reason to skip the big holiday this year … there's more than one of them.

Most Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, followed a month later by either Christmas or Hanukkah. Each one of those holidays is accompanied by a gathering of family and friends around some kind of feast. Why not skip one of them and put all the effort into the most important holiday for your family. When it comes to Christmas, people are so busy opening gifts and playing with toys that the additional feast on top can be a real strain. And with plenty of eateries open throughout the holiday season, you can either pop out for a meal, order in, or make something quick and easy. After all, it's not really about the food, it's the company. (See also: 6 Alternative Ways to Do Thanksgiving)

2. The clean up afterward is a pain

Large metal trays filled with grease. Pans caked in potatoes and gravy. A mountain of dirty plates, cups, and utensils. You're going to be at the sink for hours doing all the rinsing, scraping, and preparation for the dishwasher. And even then, the chances of getting it all in one dishwasher load are slim. That means you'll be back for a second round, after putting away the dishes from the first round. (See also: 10 Tricks to Keeping Your Kitchen Clean While You Cook)

3. The preparation takes days

Right now, if you're celebrating Thanksgiving this year, you're already making plans for the big dinner. You have ideas of what you're going to make, and what the other guests will be bringing. There will be countless trips to the grocery store. You'll have to get that turkey brined if you don't want it to be as dry as a mouthful of sawdust. And let's not forget about the scheduling to make sure everyone gets their dishes into the oven at the right time, and everything gets onto the table when it's hot. There is a monumental amount of prep work involved in a dinner of this magnitude, and it can get even worse with issues like gluten sensitivities and other food allergies. (See also: You Can Throw a Fun and Affordable Holiday Party — Here's How)

Who needs that kind of headache?

4. Who needs a political debate?

After a certain Donald J. Trump won a divisive election against Hillary Clinton, America has become fanatical about taking sides. Yes, politics is important to discuss to a degree, but should it break up families and cause screaming matches? The chances are, the more people you have in the room, the more heated the conversation will be. Fights are inevitable, even if you have a "no politics" rule at the table. So, skip the big dinner, and make it a more casual affair. Perhaps a buffet people can pick at during the day will make it easier to avoid certain topics — and certain grumpy uncles. (See also: 6 Conversation Tricks That'll Get You Out of a Political Discussion)

5. So many calories!

We all joke about it to some extent. "Oh man…I am going to eat so much on Thanksgiving that I will literally turn into a giant pumpkin." However, there is a serious side to this. According to the Calorie Control Council, the typical holiday dinner alone clocks in at a whopping 3,000 calories! That's not including all the snacks, drinks, cakes, sweets, and other goodies people consume throughout the day. And let's not forget, those Thanksgiving dinner recipes rarely include the healthy options. It's all butter, heavy cream, bacon, fat, and other artery-clogging foods. The Calorie Control Council states that on the day, the average person will eat enough fat to equal three whole sticks of butter. Holy heart attack, Batman. (See also: 6 Vegetarian Thanksgiving Dishes That Hold Their Own With Turkey)

6. There's no room to store anything

When you start prepping for the big day, you realize that space is a premium that's consumed by a holiday dinner. The turkey alone can take up an enormous part of the fridge. Then there are all the extra fruits and vegetables, the cakes and pies, and enough snacks and candies to make the pantry door swell. You come home one day to find boxes of cookies overflowing onto the counters and the dining room table. You have to eat a bunch of food quickly to make space for more food that will be eaten on the big day. And get ready for that space to continue to be tight after the event, with all the leftovers and extra treats that people were too full to even touch.

7. Not everyone loves big holiday events

Like anything else in life, people have different ideas on what makes for a fun, entertaining event. For some people, these dinners are the opposite of happy. They may simply hate large gatherings. Or, they may be avoiding certain people for any number of reasons, only to be forced to sit around the same table with them for an evening. They may have other reasons, like the cost to attend, or the fact that they would much prefer to do something more intimate with just their immediate family. Why not send out a survey, that can be answered anonymously, asking the people you were planning to invite if that actually want to do it this year. You may be surprised at the results. (See also: 8 Friendsgiving Hacks That'll Make Everyone Feel at Home)

8. Getting there can be expensive

The average cost of a Thanksgiving dinner that feeds 10 people is around $50, according the American Farm Bureau Federation. That's a bargain right?! Well, that's the cost of dinner, and yes, it's cheap at $5 a head. However, the biggest expense for the holiday dinner for many people is the travel. Not every family is lucky enough to live 20 minutes from their relatives. Some have to drive across the country, staying in hotels and paying for many tanks of gas. Others fly, which as we all know includes not just the price of the ticket, but the baggage, seat selection, and check-in. If there is not enough room at the house, these people also have to shell out for hotel rooms, and perhaps a rental car. It's perfectly OK to let your family and friends know that you're watching your money this year, and cannot come. (See also: 11 Ways to Save on Holiday Travel)

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This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

10 Money Goals You Should Set for the Holidays

Mikey Rox — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 09:00:09 +0000

The holidays are here today, gone tomorrow — and it's easy to get caught up in a tinseled tornado of financial distress if you're not careful. Avoid that fate this season with these self-imposed goals on how to better manage your holiday budget. It'll help you start the New Year financially fresh and fancy-free.

1. Stop spending money on gifts people don't need

When planning out your holiday gift list, think long and hard about what those people on your list may want or need. Don't be afraid to ask them, either. I always ask friends and family if they have something specific in mind — and I staunchly believe in getting what they'll love and use, so long as it fits into my budget.

Sometimes they provide solid ideas, and other times I get the ol' "I don't need anything" routine, even though they know good and well I'm going to buy them something anyway. (Way to help, Dad.) If you're unsure about a gift, or you feel like you're buying something just to buy it, think again. There's no reason to spend your money on something that will go unused, or even worse, be regifted.

When in doubt, a gift card to a favorite store generally works well — and you should take advantage of the ubiquitous "Spend $X in gift cards and get a $X gift card for free" promotions that many retailers and restaurants offer during the holidays. Stretch that cash every way you can. (See also: Save on Christmas Shopping With This Clever Gift Card Strategy)

2. Stop spending money on people who don't need gifts

Does everyone you know need a gift? Will you even see the recipients this holiday season? Are you disproportionately spending money on the people you do buy for? If money is tight and you're stuck in a pattern of buying gifts because you feel obligated, stand up for yourself and put a stop to it.

Several years ago, my brother, cousin, and a few of my best friends started churning out children left and right. I had to make the tough decision to cut the adults off my list. I couldn't afford to buy for everyone, so I chose the kids instead. I've never looked back on that decision with any regrets. I get to be the cool uncle who always gives the best presents — all while being able to save money despite that distinction.

3. Select, make, and "buy" gifts from stuff you already have

There's only one rule to regifting, in my opinion: Make sure the regift doesn't end up anywhere near the person who gave it to you in the first place. Bad form. Otherwise, please, regift items that were given to you that you haven't used (so long as they're still unopened and/or haven't expired). The same goes for unused items that you bought for yourself throughout the year (like clothing with the tags still on). Gift them to someone you think will appreciate them to help keep more money in your pocket.

I'm also a big fan of making gifts by hand. For instance, I'm hosting a small dinner party in December, and I'm making my guests a little take-home gift consisting of a festive homemade body scrub, a hand-poured holiday candle, and a bottle of wine I've recently made from a kit.

Simple, inexpensive, thoughtful — that's the name of the game. (See also: 25 Gifts You Can Make Today)

4. Concentrate on eliminating existing debt before racking up more

One of your top money goals this time of year should be focusing on debt you already have instead of racking up more buying gifts. That's not always easy to do during the holidays, but the due diligence will pay off.

If you have existing credit card debt, try your best not to make only the minimum monthly payments. Instead, begin paying a bit extra toward the principal starting with the card with the highest interest rate. This repayment strategy (otherwise known as the debt avalanche) will save you the most money overall on interest payments. High interest rates are what's keeping you in debt, and the faster you reduce or pay these cards off, the better. (See also: The Fastest Way to Pay Off $10,000 in Credit Card Debt)

5. Make a list of gift recipients and assign a budget per person

I like to plan out my gift buying to the tee, because I know how bad I can be with impulse purchases around the holidays. You know what it's like: You plan to get your mom a nice perfume set, but then you see this great piece of jewelry on sale — and your entire budget unravels before your eyes.

To combat this habit, I make an itemized list of what I'd like to buy for each person and assign a top-line budget based on the advertised retail price. And then I get to work. Before I make the final purchases, I scour my apps for cash-back deals, search the internet for promo codes, cash in my retailer rewards, and try to plan my in-store shopping around major sales. It helps that I get just about every circular and marketing email known to man — so I'm always abreast of what deals are going down — but you'll find equal savings with your own resourcefulness and research.

The point of all this extra legwork is to drastically come in below the gifts' retail prices so you cannot only stay under budget but, in fact, walk away from the holidays a solid winner. (See also: Avoid These 5 Common Holiday Budget Pitfalls)

6. Pay for gifts strictly from your holiday-spending envelope

Once you've made your itemized list of gifts and determined the overall budget, take out the cash from the bank, stick it in an envelope, and use only that money to buy gifts. There is no other alternative; this is all the money you have to spend, and you need to stick to this plan. If what you want to buy is online, consult your budget to make sure you're on track, then use your debit card. Then, immediately replace the deduction by making a deposit into your checking account so everything balances out. Yeah, it's old school — but it works.

7. Put any cash gifts you receive into savings or toward bills

Plan to put any holiday cash you receive from family members straight into your savings account or toward bills. This savings tactic isn't any fun — I understand — but you'll likely receive plenty of gift cards that you can spend instead that will help quell your urge to blow everything before the holidays even come to a close.

8. Shop with a buddy to keep each other away from impulse buys

I like shopping alone for several reasons. For starters, I don't have to wait on my companions and they don't have to wait on me, which, when shopping together, can really zap the relaxation out of my leisurely pace. Furthermore, I don't like people's opinions of my purchases or their comments about whether I really need this or that. It's my money, and I'll buy what I want.

Except around holiday time.

This is the time of year I like to employ the buddy system when shopping for the sole purpose of keeping each other focused on our lists and away from impulse buys. Because if my bestie can't smack my hand in public and tell me no, who can? That's what friends are for.

9. Lay the groundwork for 2018 and the future of your finances

There are a million things happening during the holidays, but that doesn't mean you can't look ahead and prepare yourself financially for the New Year. In fact, you owe it to yourself.

Kevin Driscoll, VP of Advisory Services for Navy Federal Financial Group, agrees.

"If you're not already doing so, begin contributing to your 401(k)," he says. "Make 2018 the year of financial freedom in retirement by saving now. Check out the retirement plan your employer offers, and if they offer a match, be sure to take advantage of this."

Also worth considering is investing in an online investment platform.

"You'll find that there are many sites that allow you to make minimal contributions to buy a portion of a stock," Driscoll continues. "This is a great way to get your feet wet with investing and hopefully make some extra money, too. Additionally, these platforms are generally low maintenance, and don't require any prior knowledge of the market or investing."

10. Find ways to spend and save even smarter

Every year, one of your top resolutions should be to stay on top of your finances and to improve your own money management. How do you do that? That's really up to you, but it will require due diligence on your part. It could be as easy as subscribing to personal finance blogs so you'll receive the latest financial self-help articles in your inbox, or maybe you can enroll in a local course that will help you better understand your money and your relationship with it. Both of these tactics combined would be great, too.

The point is, you should continue to educate yourself about how to spend and save smarter so you can achieve your goals and live a life free from the burden of debt. Easier said than accomplished, but people just like you do it on a regular basis. Invest in yourself and it will pay off eventually. (See also: 10 Financial Resolutions You Can Conquer Before New Year's)

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This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

8 Secrets to a Debt-Free Holiday Season

Kentin Waits — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 09:00:07 +0000

Remember when the holidays were all about simple pleasures like spending time with family and exchanging modest gifts? Neither do I. Holidays have taken on a life of their own, turning otherwise reasonable folks into consumer zombies and blowing up the budgets of too many Americans. This year, let's celebrate simplicity and financial solvency. Here are the secrets to a debt-free holiday season.

1. Push back against "holiday sprawl"

Ever feel like the holidays come earlier, last longer, and require more gifts, more elaborate decorations, more money, and more travel? Let's call this endless expansion what it is — holiday sprawl. Fight back by embracing the idea of enough. Suggest (and stick to) reasonable spending limits and keep ballooning expectations in check. Your budget will thank you. (See also: 9 Things You Can Do Right Now for a Frugal Holiday Season)

2. Shop early and shop around

Bright lights, big crowds, sales of the century — it's enough to make even the most levelheaded shopper lose control. Skip all the holiday madness by shopping early (I start in September and try to finish by Thanksgiving). You'll have more time to compare prices, shop for sales, and space out purchases so you won't have to rely on credit. (See also: 6 Reasons January Is the Right Time to Start Planning for Christmas)

3. Slow down

Holidays can be frantic. In the rush of activity, we often make bad decisions about what to buy and how much to spend. Slow. Things. Down. Break up your shopping excursions into several smaller trips and avoid shopping on days when you have a thousand other things to do. When shopping online, load your virtual cart, but don't commit to buy until you've thought about your choices overnight.

4. Avoid gimmicks

The holiday season can make or break retailers. To help us stretch our spending muscles, almost every store features blowout sales or deals that require the purchase of multiples (10 for $10). My advice? Be skeptical. That "biggest sale of the year" probably isn't. And what are you going to do with 10 bacon-scented candles, anyway?

5. Pay cash

Do you tend to spend more when you use credit? You're not alone. Paying by credit card — or worse yet, smartphone — blunts the conscious connection between spending more money and having less money. Make this holiday a cash-only affair. It'll keep your accounts in the black and make your first credit card bill of the new year a lot less frightening.

6. Make your gifts

Exchanging handmade gifts can be wonderful, even among adults. Buck the retail trend altogether and focus on your talents. Are you an expert baker? A gifted artist? An inspired brewmaster? Explore Pinterest for inexpensive homemade holiday gift ideas, then tap into your creative spirit. (See also: 10 Gift Ideas That Cost Almost Nothing)

7. Skip the greeting cards

I didn't get the memo: When did everyone decide that $14.99 is an acceptable price for a box of holiday cards? This year, save a few bucks by ditching the costly cards and postage. Instead, send a group email or catch up with a leisurely phone call.

8. Share experiences

If money's tight, swap traditional gifts for the gift of time together. Organize a holiday potluck, host a movie night with friends, or coordinate a charity event where everyone contributes a few hours of their time as a group. After all, what could be better than good food, good friends, and goodwill?

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This article is from Kentin Waits of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Teach Your Kids About Money With Their Holiday Gift Lists

Emily Guy Birken — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 08:00:09 +0000

Giving my children Hannukah presents is one of my favorite parts of the holidays. Seeing their faces light up when they open a gift is one of the best feelings in the world.

However, it can be very easy for kids to overlook the message of generosity that we are trying to teach for Christmas and Hannukah. They are bombarded by advertisements on all sides and constant reminders that the holidays are on their way — which means kids can often fall prey to the gimme gimmes. Many parents see this play out when they ask their kids to create a holiday wish list, and receive an eight-page, single-spaced list of expensive items.

But just because children can learn the wrong things from holiday gifts doesn't mean they have to. In fact, parents can use the practice of writing a gift list to teach their kids about budgeting, frugality, generosity, and managing expectations. This year, try one of the following holiday gift lists to help your children learn about money and the true spirit of giving. (See also: How to Use the Holidays to Teach Kids About Money)

1. The four gift list

Families following the four gift list rule will give each child:

Something they want.
Something they need.
Something to wear.
Something to read.

When your kids are penning their holiday wish lists, tell them to place each item in one of these four categories. You can make it clear that they can put more than one item in each category, but they will only receive one present from each category. This will help them to better understand the things they truly need and recognize how much they value their various wanted items. If everything on their list is a want, this exercise will help them manage their expectations. It can also potentially spur them to find needs, clothes, and books that they are excited to receive.

This rule is also very helpful for parents who often go overboard with gift shopping. When you see something adorable that you'd love to give your child, you'll have to decide if it's worthy of being one of only four "somethings" on the list.

2. Include gifts to others

Last winter, my sons were delighted to watch the animated adaptation of The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats on Amazon. We had long been fans of the classic book, and the sweet story of Peter's adventure in the snow was expanded to tell an animated Christmas story in this short film.

One of my favorite parts of the adaptation was the story of Peter's Jewish friend Layla, who delivers a gift to a charity on the sixth night of Hannukah. She explains that it's her family's tradition to give instead of receive on that night of Hannukah, and she and her mother have picked out something special to give away.

This tradition is very well-suited to Hannukah, which lasts for eight nights. Parents can easily set aside one night to be about giving to those less fortunate rather than receiving — but any family can encourage their children to think of others when making their holiday gift lists.

In addition to writing down the things that they want, your kids can also include a list of gifts they can give to others. These could be traditional gifts for families in need, or they can be more creative, like writing letters to deployed soldiers or volunteering. By including a place for giving back on their holiday wish list, your kids will learn to associate generosity with your holiday traditions.

3. Create a gift-giving theme

For older children, a fun way to celebrate the holidays and teach frugality is to set a theme for gift giving. For instance, Stacia Mcclure's family would give everyone a hard spending limit, and specify where everyone could shop: "One year, we decided all gifts had to come from a truck stop — and gift cards were excluded. My dad still talks about that year because he got an entire box of Necco wafers. The hospital gift shop Christmas was also quite entertaining."

Other types of holiday themes might include only buying "As Seen on TV" items, books, games, or food items.

Picking a "theme" helps teenagers learn to be creative within a spending framework, which is excellent practice for learning how to be frugal. A teen who can have fun and give a meaningful (or at least hilarious) low-cost gift from a truck stop will learn to think outside the box when it comes to tougher money decisions. (See also: 5 Steps to Stress-Free Holiday Gift Giving)

4. Ask them to pick a stock

Several years ago, Stephanie McCullough's daughter asked for a new iPod for the holidays. "Instead, I bought her two shares of Apple," McCullough says, "which cost about the same as a new device at the time. There was no way to know this at the time, but the stock has skyrocketed since then."

If you let your children know that you plan to buy them a share of a company they like, you will not only be giving them a gift that will keep on giving, but you can also help to spark an interest in finance.

They can either pick a publicly-traded company they like, or they can do a little research into how well their favorite companies have fared in the market. The latter will help them start to get a sense of figuring out what makes a good investment. Even if they don't research their stock before including it on their gift list, you can invite them to track the stock's price over time to see how their gift is doing.

5. Include a time gift

As much as your children love ripping the wrapping paper off a new toy, what they really want most is to spend time with their parents. You can give them the gift of your time by asking them to include a request on their gift list for something you can do together. For instance, your child might list "baking cookies together" or "going fishing together" on their wish list.

While you could always create a "coupon" for the requested time gift, you can also find a small tangible item you could give your child to use for their time gift. For instance, you might give them a new cookbook that you can peruse together to find the perfect cookie recipe, or a fishing hat for them to wear next time you go to the lake.

By having your child include a time gift request on their holiday wish list, you are teaching them that the best gifts come from being together, rather than spending lots of money.

The benefit of limits

The magic of the holiday season does not come from tearing into an enormous pile of presents, even though much of our culture tries to convince kids otherwise. Teaching your children to use frameworks for thinking about their holiday gift wishes can help them to better appreciate the real lessons of the season, as well as learn some important money skills that will last them well into adulthood.

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This article is from Emily Guy Birken of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

8 Seasonal Side Hustles That'll Cover Your Holiday Spending

Paul Michael — Mon, 06 Nov 2017 09:00:07 +0000

The stores have been stocking decorations for months now. Seasonal music is starting to play. Catalogs are being mailed out. There's no escaping it: The holidays are coming, and with them, wallet-emptying events, gift purchases, and groceries.

If you're thinking, "How am I going to afford it all?" then maybe it's worth looking into a seasonal side hustle. These suggestions will put a bit of extra cash in your pocket — and you may even find yourself having a lot of fun along the way. (See also: 14 Best Side Jobs For Fast Cash)

1. Mall Santa (or one of his elves)

It wouldn't be the festive season without a visit to Santa at your local mall. Almost every shopping center in the country will set up a grotto of some kind, and outfit it with a Santa look-alike and perhaps an elf or two.

Obviously, the first and biggest qualification for this job is that you should kind of look like Santa to begin with. Although fake beards and wigs are used, most of the mall Santas these days have their own flowing white beards. Not only will you need to look the part, but sounding jovial and belting out the "Ho, ho, ho" tagline is also a must. You should be ready to wear a smile all day, be very excited for every kid, and have a genuine love for children and the season.

Although the average mall Santa makes around $10 per hour, some establishments pay up to $20 per hour or higher. If you don't bag the part of Santa, there are also openings for Mrs. Claus in some malls, or elves and other helpers.

2. House decorator

While most of us like the tradition of putting up the tree and decorations after Thanksgiving, some people either cannot do it themselves or would rather someone else do it. That's where you can come in and make a tidy sum.

As you would expect, this is a very seasonal business model and is only going to give you about three to four weeks of work at best. But even if you only do it on nights and weekends for a few weeks, you can earn anywhere from $50 to thousands of dollar per home, depending on the scale, the difficulty, and the wealth of the family. Do a couple of these gigs, and you'll have more than enough to fulfill every gift wish on the list.

You will need some basic equipment, including a long ladder, staple gun, and working knowledge of electrical systems, and should be prepared to work in the rain, snow, and hail. You'll also need to be able to transport your equipment and be ready to come out and fix issues after you have installed the lights.

3. Package delivery

'Tis the season to completely overload the mail system. And there have never been more opportunities available to help deliver those packages and make a bundle of extra cash in your spare time.

Right now, Amazon is boosting jobs in many areas of its business, and one of those is delivery. It's called Amazon Flex and it pays $18–$25 per hour. You set your own schedule, so it's ideal as a side hustle that you can do after work and on weekends.

There are also services like Doorman that put you in touch with a wide range of companies looking for help delivering packages. You may also be able to deduct the mileage and transportation costs from your taxes. And with every smartphone having some kind of GPS map service installed, you don't have to know the area well to deliver packages in a timely fashion.

4. House and pet sitting

We're approaching some major holidays, including the mother of all get-togethers — Thanksgiving. Before the big day, thousands of people pack their bags and travel around the country to be with family and friends, leaving homes and pets in need of caretakers. And that's when you can step in and make a nice chunk of change.

Put an ad up on Craigslist, or make your services known on an app like Nextdoor, Rover, or DogVacay. Obviously, you will want to get a group of solid references together; people are not going to entrust their home, valuables, and pets to a complete stranger without some great reviews. And if you have done this kind of thing before, even better.

The owners may want to do a background check on you, and you should be willing to help pay for that. However, for just a few days of work doing basically nothing, you can net $250–$300 easily. It can be a lot more if there are many pets to look after. And if you need to be walking the dogs, too, that can also add to your fee. (See also: How to Make $400+ a Week as a Pet Sitter)

5. In-store gift wrapping

Are your gift-wrapping skills the envy of your family and friends? Can you wrap all sorts of gifts, including those with weird shapes and sizes? Are you OK standing on your feet for almost the whole day? If you were nodding your head through that whole intro, you could pick up some great seasonal work as a gift wrap associate in one of the many stores in the mall.

This time of year, free gift wrapping is a big lure for shoppers. Department stores, toy stores, and lingerie stores in particular love to offer free gift wrapping, and you can make $10–$12 per hour, plus tips, for providing this much-appreciated service.

You will have to perform under pressure at times, especially during Black Friday and the week before Christmas, and you may also have to smile through the comments of irate customers. But if none of this phases you, you can make enough money to easily cover your own holiday spending.

6. Warehouse associate

As the demand for products increases toward the end of the year, many companies take on part-time warehouse associates to help out. From Amazon and Walmart, to UPS and FedEx, the type of job you will be doing varies from company to company.

For example, Amazon warehouse workers could be selecting and boxing up groceries for their Fresh and Pantry services, or packing up regular orders from its massive inventory. Amazon fulfillment centers are located in many states around the country, and chances are your state has one already, or one is coming soon.

Although it is part time work, the flexible hours may not be an ideal match if you have a current full time job. This is shift work, and working from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. is common. Also, you'll need to dress warm in some states, as the warehouses can get pretty cold. You'll also be expected to lift around 50 lbs. with ease, and as this is a very physical job, you should be in fairly good shape. You can expect to earn around $10–$12 per hour, plus you'll probably get overtime pay and other benefits.

7. Uber or Lyft driver

A lot of people are already doing the "taxi driver in my spare time" gig, but things get really busy during the holiday season. Additional drivers are always going to be welcome, especially this time of year. So if you have a car that's in good condition, reliable, and you don't mind putting on extra miles and wear, you should consider the Uber and Lyft option around the holidays.

Uber and Lyft drivers make around $15 per hour, and Lyft offers weekly income guarantees that vary by city. You should be prepared to work most evenings and weekends leading up to the end of the year, and even with all the extra cabs on the roads, you can still expect to take advantage of surge pricing and make a handsome profit.

On Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Eve, it's not unusual to see the fares surge by six or seven times. And on New Year's Eve, people have paid 10 times the normal fare to get home. That's $300 for a cab that would usually cost $30. Do a few of those and you're really in the money.

If you prefer not to chauffeur, Uber also offers the Uber Eats service. That would simply mean picking up and dropping off food without ever having anyone in your car. (See also: How to Make More Money as an Uber Driver)

8. Mystery shopping

With the holiday season comes a massive influx of traffic to brick and mortar stores nationwide. And to ensure standards are kept high, these businesses employ mystery shoppers to evaluate and report back.

If you aren't familiar with the role, mystery shopping is a job that you do in your spare time, based on assignments sent to you by companies as varied as grocery stores, car dealerships, restaurants, and even liquor outlets. You will shop at the store like a regular customer, and never reveal your intentions to the employees. You make a purchase, interact with the staff, and report your findings to the company that employed you. You will be reimbursed for the item you purchased (there will be a limit based on the store you're in) plus additional money for your time. (See also: Check Out These 5 Legit Mystery Shopping Gigs)

You can have a lot of fun getting paid to do things most people have to pay money to do. However, there are plenty of scams out there, so make sure you register with a legitimate Mystery Shopping Providers Association of North America member.

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8 Ways to Actually Relax Over the Holidays

Sarah Winfrey — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 08:00:09 +0000

It's almost that time of year again. You know, the most wonderful time of year. Or, if you're like me, the time when you feel like you run a marathon for months and never, ever stop.

During the holiday season, it's especially important to find a way to take a breather. After all, you want to remember these days as some of the best, right? And what better way to do that than to cut the crazy, and find a way to really relax and enjoy yourself?

1. Take a breath

No, you don't have to take up meditation. But even stopping for two or three breaths when you start to feel stressed can help you recenter. I know someone who goes so far as to set alarms on her exercise tracker every two or three hours. When her wrist buzzes, she finds a place where she can take a few deep breaths. She swears it makes her healthier and happier. (See also: 7 Ways to Stay Calm in Stressful Moments)

2. Plan fewer activities

There are a million things to do over the holiday season. If you try to do them all, though, you'll discover that they stop being fun and become stressful instead. So pick a few things, maybe the ones you're most excited about or the ones you think your family will love, and do only those. If you want to do something more, there's always next year. Limiting the number of things you commit to will reduce your stress.

3. Schedule intimate gatherings

When you really want to talk to someone, there's no better way to achieve that than to plan a small, intimate holiday get-together, rather than a huge bustling party. Have a few interesting people over, offer some simple refreshments, and really get to know the people in your life. It's so much less stressful than planning a huge party! You can even do this several times, with different people, if you have a lot of friends you'd like to entertain this season.

4. Play music

Whether you love traditional holiday music or not, it's likely you can find something that is both in the holiday spirit and that reduces your stress levels. You may not want to keep it on all the time, but finding a way to incorporate holiday music into your daily life should not only get you a little more into the holiday spirit, but can also help you feel more relaxed and excited about the season. (See also: How to Choose the Best Streaming Music Service for You)

5. Shop early

Buying your holiday gifts late can be incredibly stressful. The lines are longer, there are more people to contend with, and popular gifts can be harder to find. While it takes a bit of planning and some storage space, shopping early helps you avoid all of these hectic moments. Even if you love the rush of last-minute holiday gift-buying, you can plan your lists now and buy some items that might be impossible to find later. (See also: 10 Reasons You Should Start Your Holiday Shopping Now)

6. Take some time off

Depending on your job, taking time off right around the holidays can be almost impossible. But if you have the vacation days, it's worth taking a few sometime during the season to make time to chill. If nothing else, use a couple of vacation days just to get stuff done. That way, you don't have to fit everything in around work and the rest of your hectic holiday schedule.

7. Make time to exercise

When you're running around like crazy, fitting in exercise can feel like just one more difficult thing you have to do. Since exercise reduces stress, though, it may be one of the most important things that you do this holiday season. You don't have to find time for a killer gym workout, either. A 20-30 minute walk, even on a treadmill, will do you good. Make exercise a habit during the holidays, and beat some of the stress that comes with the season.

8. Get outside

Unfortunately, one of the most stressful times of the year goes hand in hand with one of the darkest times of the year. This is important because time spent out in natural light helps the body produce vitamin D, which is key to helping us deal with stress. Whenever possible, spend a few minutes each day outside. If you can't stand the cold, take some vitamin D supplements so your body has what it needs to be able to battle stress.

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This article is from Sarah Winfrey of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Best Money Tips: How to Save $300 by Christmas

Amy Lu — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 08:30:11 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found articles on how to save $300 by Christmas, simple ways to save on medical bills, and the best sites for streaming TV shows and movies.

Christmas

All the Ways You Can Score More Points and Miles This Holiday Season

Use holiday spending to earn major points

Earn more points on holiday dining

Use shopping portals for all your holiday shopping

Take advantage of category bonuses

Use portals when you book holiday travel

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7 Fastest Ways to Recover From Holiday Overspending

1. Return what you don't want

2. Use those gift cards

3. Pay more than the minimum on your credit cards

4. Stop adding to your debt

5. Start an emergency fund

6. Make some sacrifices

7. Get in selling mode

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8 Fabulous Last-Minute Places to Spend New Year's

1. Durham, North Carolina

2. Orange, Virginia

3. Minneapolis, Minnesota

4. Las Vegas, Nevada

5. Shenandoah Valley

6. New Orleans, Louisiana

7. Glenwood Springs, Colorado

8. Michigan City, Indiana

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7 Organizations That Need Your Help During Christmas

1. Knit for the Gift of Life

2. Wrap presents for the American Red Cross

3. Deliver hot meals with Little Brothers: Friends of the Elderly

4. Cheer hospital patients with the Salvation Army

5. Distribute warm clothes with Goodwill

6. Assemble hygiene kits for the Coalition Against Domestic Violence

7. Visit nursing home residents with the Holiday Project

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Best Money Tips: Things That Are Cheaper After Christmas

Top 5 Articles

Other Essential Reading

Best Money Tips: Ways to Earn an Extra $1,000 for Christmas

Top 5 Articles

Other Essential Reading

6 Smart Financial Gifts to Give Your Kids This Year

1. Monopoly

2. Custodial investment account

3. Custodial Roth IRA

4. 529 savings plan

5. Cash

6. Checking account with debit card and checkbook

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Holiday Gifts: 6 Fun Games That Teach Money and Finance

1. Acquire

2. Allowance

3. Black Gold

4. Pit

5. Stockpile

6. Tin Goose

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8 Reasons to Skip the Big Holiday Dinner This Year

1. Do you really need two big dinners in two months?

2. The clean up afterward is a pain

3. The preparation takes days

4. Who needs a political debate?

5. So many calories!

6. There's no room to store anything

7. Not everyone loves big holiday events

8. Getting there can be expensive

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10 Money Goals You Should Set for the Holidays

1. Stop spending money on gifts people don't need

2. Stop spending money on people who don't need gifts

3. Select, make, and "buy" gifts from stuff you already have

4. Concentrate on eliminating existing debt before racking up more

5. Make a list of gift recipients and assign a budget per person

6. Pay for gifts strictly from your holiday-spending envelope

7. Put any cash gifts you receive into savings or toward bills

8. Shop with a buddy to keep each other away from impulse buys

9. Lay the groundwork for 2018 and the future of your finances

10. Find ways to spend and save even smarter

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