Bloody oath, we are bunch of whingers

“IT CONFUSES children.” “It upsets my 85-year-old grandfather.” These are the “most offensive” adverts of 2015, as voted by the complaining public.

Source NEWS.com.au | Business http://ift.tt/1I2YnLn

Woolies backflips on rewards card

WOOLIES has back-pedalled on its controversial decision to axe Qantas Frequent Flyer points from its new rewards program — but there’s a catch.

Source NEWS.com.au | Business http://ift.tt/1QnCtVI

Sleeping Santa craze goes viral

JOLLY smiles on Santa’s knee are so retro. This Christmas, it’s all about snoozing.

Source NEWS.com.au | Business http://ift.tt/1lZUU5Q

‘I tried so f***ing hard, and I still couldn’t make it’

TWO Aussies have just become overnight billionaires, but Nikki Durkin and others are living proof that start-ups can be a fast road to ruin.

Source NEWS.com.au | Business http://ift.tt/1RMlU5r

Nurofen feels pain over medicine claims

NUROFEN is facing millions of dollars in fines and over dodgy ‘Specific Pain’ claims and must remove the products from shelves.

Source NEWS.com.au | Business http://ift.tt/1NjGaIg

Do You Go Crazy Over Christmas? These 5 Holiday Side Gigs Were Made for You

I’ve worked a lot of odd side gigs in my day.

But the time I undecorated Dog the Bounty Hunter’s Christmas tree probably takes the cake.

At the time, I was living in Breckenridge, Colorado — where Dog had recently filmed an episode of his show. After he and his crew left, they needed someone to remove the Christmas decorations from his vacation home.

Thanks to a connection, I got the gig.

Though it was already pretty fun — because it was Dog the Bounty Hunter’s Christmas tree, after all — the fact it was holiday-oriented made it even better.

That’s because I love the holiday season, and everything to do with it.

If you’re like me and go crazy over Chrismukkah, here are five ways you could make money off your holiday spirit.

1. Sell Baked Goods

Do you love to bake? Sell your baked goods everywhere — from holiday fairs to offices. Just be sure to check the cottage food laws in your state before getting started.

Read more: Calling All Home Bakers: How to Earn Money Selling Your Treats Over the Holidays

2. Work as Santa Claus

This gig requires a certain body type — and definitely a jolly laugh — but there aren’t many better ways to spread Christmas cheer.

Read more: The Ultimate Guide to Working as a Professional Santa Claus

3. Decorate Homes or Businesses

Holiday decorating is a huge industry.

In New York City, one company makes millions of dollars each year decorating local businesses. Get inspired by its success and decorate houses and businesses in your neighborhood.

Read more: An American Christmas Story

4. Make and Sell Holiday Crafts

Making your own presents is a great way to save money. If you’re particularly crafty, it can also bring in a bunch of extra income around the holidays.

Read more: 12 Pinterest-Inspired Crafts to Make and Sell This Holiday Season

5. Take Family Photos

Are you a shutterbug?

Bust out your photography skills and help friends and neighbors commemorate the holiday with family portraits.

Read more: A Side Hustle for Amateur Photographers: Take Holiday Family Portraits

If you’ve got an abundance of cheer, put it to good use by sharing it with everyone you encounter first — then earn some money from it!

Your Turn: How do you make extra money over the holidays?

Susan Shain, senior writer for The Penny Hoarder, is always seeking adventure on a budget. Visit her blog at susanshain.com, or say hi on Twitter @susan_shain.

The post Do You Go Crazy Over Christmas? These 5 Holiday Side Gigs Were Made for You appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.

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Diversification: The Only Free Lunch in Investing

Diversification is a word you’ll hear a lot as you read about various investment strategies, and though it sounds fancy it’s actually a pretty simple idea both to understand and to take advantage of.

It’s also the only way that you can decrease your investment risk without decreasing your expected return.

That makes it a pretty valuable tool. And in this post you’ll learn what diversification is, why it’s so powerful, and how to use it.

What Is Diversification?

Diversification is another one of those fancy-sounding investment terms that’s actually pretty simple when you break it down. All it means is spreading your money out over multiple different investments instead of putting all your eggs into one basket.

Rather than investing in a single company, you invest in many different companies. Rather than investing only in the U.S. stock market, you invest in international stock markets as well.

That is, instead of staking your investment fortune on a small subset of the opportunities available to you, you spread your money around so that some of it will always be in the best-performing investments.

And by doing so, you accomplish two things:

1. You decrease your investment risk. The odds of you losing money are smaller when you diversify.
2. You do so without decreasing your expected return. Your investments will be expected to perform just as well as if you didn’t diversify.

Diversification is quite literally the only way to accomplish those two goals at the same time. That’s why it’s the only free lunch in investing.

Why Diversification Works

There are a few main reasons why diversification works:

1. Any individual investment, like the stock of a single company, comes with a lot of risk. The truth is that any single company could fail at any time for any reason.
2. On the other hand, over the long-term the stock market as a whole has always proven to be a good investment. That is, while individual companies fail all the time, business at large has continued to succeed.
3. Even professional investors aren’t very good at determining which individual investments will succeed and which will fail. Research actually shows that the vast majority of professionals underperform the market — which makes you wonder why they get paid so much money!

So by diversifying your investments and, say, investing in the entire stock market instead of a single company, you’re taking advantage of the long-term returns the stock market provides without the risk of any single company sinking your portfolio and losing you a lot of money.

Same expected return. Less risk that you won’t get it.

The Argument Against Diversification

The main argument against diversification is that you won’t strike it rich with the next Apple (AAPL) or the next Google (GOOG) when your money is spread out over many different investments.

Because while any single company can fail at any time, the reverse is also true. Any single company could turn out to be the next big thing, and if you’re heavily invested in it then you could make a lot of money in a short amount of time.

And it’s true: That won’t happen when your money is diversified.

Even Warren Buffett, the greatest investor any of us will ever see, agrees. According to Buffett, if you really want to dedicate yourself to the job of investing, you should limit yourself to your best six ideas and no more. Which is the exact opposite of diversification.

Of course, in that exact same talk, Buffett also says, “If you are not a professional investor… then I believe in extreme diversification. So I believe 98% or 99%, maybe more than 99%, of people who invest should extensively diversify.”

Here’s why:

1. Remember, the research shows that even professional investors aren’t good at picking the winners from the losers.
2. The research also shows that individual investors consistently get much lower returns than the market as a whole, presumably because they are chasing home runs.

In other words, while it’s certainly possible to hit a home run when you put all your money into a single investment, it’s much more likely that you’ll strike out. It’s not a fun thing to admit, but it’s true.

And while diversifying may not be sexy and may not get you rich quick, it’s the strategy that’s most likely to be successful.

Diversification is like a buffet: No single item will ruin your entire meal. Photo: Lisa Nottingham

How to Diversify Your Investments

The key to diversification is using index funds.

Index funds are simply mutual funds that track a specific market. For example, there are index funds that track the U.S. stock market, the international stock markets, the U.S. bond market, and many more.

And index funds make diversification easy because they automatically spread your money out over many different investments, and they do so at a very low cost.

So the first step here is figuring out your asset allocation, which at a very basic level is simply deciding how much of your money to put into stocks and how much to put into bonds.

Then as you’re looking over your investment options, look for funds that fit your desired asset allocation and have “index fund” in the title.

For example, you might see something titled “Total Stock Market Index Fund”, which tracks the entire U.S. stock market. You might see similar funds for international stock markets and the U.S. bond market.

In some cases you may even be able to find a single mutual fund that handles all of those different types of investments for you. Vanguard’s Target Retirement and LifeStrategy funds are good examples. They automatically invest your money across both U.S. and international stock and bond markets, allowing you to be fully diversified across all types of companies all over the world with just a single investment.

In other words, diversifying can actually be pretty easy. With just one fund, or at most just a few, you can get all the benefits of diversification with minimal effort.

Quick note: Investing in a lot of different mutual funds is NOT the same as diversifying. A single fund that tracks the entire U.S. stock market is more diversified than several funds that hold similar investments and don’t combine to track the entire U.S. stock market.

The Only Free Lunch in Investing

Quite simply, diversification is the only free lunch in investing. It’s the only way to decrease your investment risk without decreasing your expected return.

And by spreading your money out across the entire investment landscape, you increase your odds of achieving the only investment objectives that really matter: your personal goals.

Matt Becker is a fee-only financial planner and the founder of Mom and Dad Money, where he helps new parents take control of their money so they can take care of their families. His free book, The New Family Financial Road Map, guides parents through the all most important financial decisions that come with starting a family.

The post Diversification: The Only Free Lunch in Investing appeared first on The Simple Dollar.

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Spend Less, Give More: 100 Holiday Gift Ideas Under $25

Feeling overwhelmed by your holiday shopping list? You’re not alone.

Even the most organized shopper can get stressed out shopping for so many people. And between family, friends, significant others and the Secret Santa gift exchange at work, your wallet is definitely going to be more stressed than you…

Luckily, this Penny Hoarder spent a few hours shopping online at work — er, doing research — to bring you the best gifts under $25 for absolutely everyone on your to-buy-for list.

For the Foodie

 

Here’s the thing: Who isn’t a foodie these days?

Whether you’ve yet to cross off your circle’s aspiring chef — or just the guy who’s always on top of the hot new restaurants in town on Yelp — the gifts below are a great bargain.

1. “Obsessive Chef” Cutting Board — $19.99

For the kitchen king who always makes sure everything is perfect, check out this cutting board — on deep sale off its original price of $59.

But be prepared for a lecture on how your carrots julienne are actually allumette cut next time he’s over for dinner.

2. Pizza Cone Kit — $14.94

We can all agree pizza is the best, right?

These cones create a fun new way to make and serve personal pizzas. Experiment with a sweet dough and fill them with fruit and yogurt for a dessert version.

3. Cookie Bowl Baking Pan — $11.80

What’s better than cookies and ice cream? Ice cream in a bowl made of cookie? Yes, please.

The lucky recipient of this gift can make her own version of just that — you might even be able to line it with tortillas to make taco shell bowls!

Check out all the other cool novelty baking pans Wilton has to offer, too.

4. Nessie Ladle — $2.09-$20.09

I own one of these, and it’s pretty adorable. They’re not the most functional ladles in the world, but look at them!

The set of two linked above is $20.09, so you can keep one for yourself — or, try out this $2.09 version with slightly “iffier” Amazon reviews.

5. Herb Stripper — $7.95

Cooking with fresh herbs ups the ante in any recipe — but it can also be a giant, time-consuming pain in the neck. Or wrists.

This handy gadget makes stripping the tasty parts of herbs off their stems a breeze. Just make sure you’re on the guest list for the meal!

6. Garlic Grater and Oil Dipping Dish — $15

This lovely little ceramic dish has a rough center for grating fresh garlic cloves into olive oil, creating a perfect dip for a hearty slice of bread or even drizzling over pasta or steamed veggies.

I’ve heard someone say before she makes a dessert dip with hers, grating fresh dark chocolate into warmed heavy cream. Yum.

7. Cast Iron Garlic Roaster — $16.95

If you’ve never had whole-roasted garlic spread on thick slices of crusty white bread, stop reading this list and go have that experience.

And you should definitely buy this roaster for someone special, so he can have that experience over and over again.

8. Mini Waffle Maker — $11.99

Not only are you giving the gift of perfect, single-serving waffles whenever your lucky friend wants them, but waffle makers have amazing versatility!

Check out all the stuff you can do with them — but not if you haven’t had lunch yet. I did eat and that list still makes me drool.

9. 8” Cast Iron Skillet — $16.95

A staple in my kitchen, cast iron can change the way you cook — you’ll start to cook everything in it.

The convenience of being able to effortlessly travel from oven to stovetop has transformed many of my favorite dishes. Since properly-seasoned cast iron lasts a lifetime, at less than $20, this one’s a steal.

10. Your Top Secret Recipe — And The Spices They Need to Make It — $20 or less

If you’re willing to divulge grandma’s prized concoctions, we won’t tell. You could have a cheap, but meaningful, gift at your disposal.

Print out — or handwrite! — the recipe, and include three or more of the necessary spices, especially if they’re more exotic and less likely to already have a place on the recipient’s shelf.

This package is cute (and you can pick from the seller’s premade packages if you’re stumped) — but you could also just head to the grocery store and grab the spices for $3 each or less.

Package nicely, and you’re good to go!

11. Good Chocolate — $2.50-$10

“Good,” of course, is subjective and relative — but I’ve not met much chocolate I didn’t like. (A few, though. I’m looking at you, Three Musketeers.)

You can get an insanely nice, single-origin, small-batch craft bar of chocolate for about $8.50, and it’s a real treat (and definitely gift-worthy) for a chocolate fanatic like me.

Or, head to your local grocery and grab a bar of Godiva or Ghirardelli for close to $3. Get this package on Amazon, and you’ve just knocked 3-6 people off your shopping list for under $15!

12. Really Good Cheese — $5-$25

When I lived near a Kroger, I would raid the $5-or-less cheese bin — where they toss the odds and ends of the sexy, expensive cheeses that live in the special case. It was one of my favorite weekend activities.

Cheese is definitely the best — and perhaps the only — reason to live in the Midwest, in my opinion.

If you want to give a gourmet in your life a really nice present, give yourself permission to go a little crazy on the cheese case. Get the $12 triple-creme Brie or the $15 imported Gruyère. Add a bottle of wine or charcuterie for even more brownie points. Brownies might pair well, too!

13. Engraved Cheese Knives — $24.99

If the cheese-lover in your life (see above) knows her cheese better than you, skip the cheddar. Grab the utensils she needs to serve it in style!

This set is conveniently engraved with the proper utility of each — hard, soft, crumbly and serving — so her guests won’t feel fumbly at her next cheesy soirée.

14. State Cheese Slates — $19.99

How many gifts will be based on cheese, you ask?

Last one. Maybe. I make no promises.

These cheese boards are cute and under $25, and if you have a cheese lover in your life with a lot of state pride, they’re pretty much perfect. Shockingly, Wisconsin is not (yet) sold out.

15. New Orleans in a Box — $17.99

One of the very best parts of my insane 11-thousand-mile solo road trip was eating beignets and drinking chicory coffee at Café du Monde in NOLA.

If there’s someone on your list who knows what it means to miss New Orleans, this gift is a perfect fit (although after all those beignets, her pants might not be anymore).

16. The Freshest Mushrooms Possible — $19.99

Nothing replaces the savory, earthy flavor of fresh mushrooms.

Now, a lucky member of your list can grow her own with almost zero effort!

For the Caffeine Junkie

If you have a friend who’s never without a hot cup, here are a couple of perfect gifts.

17. Really Good Coffee — $15.95

Illy is a favorite indulgence of mine, but any nice, local, single-origin coffee can make an impressive gift.

Heck, I’d gladly take Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts, too. You’re looking between $8 and $16.

18. Milk Frother — $19.95

Your favorite latte-a-day drinker is spending something like $1,500 dollars a year if he buys a $4 drink every day of the week.

This milk frother would allow him to emulate the silky, foamy latte texture at home — while saving a boatload of cash.

For the Amateur Mixologist or Sommelier

For the friend who’s always hosting parties with bowls of creative punch or begging you to come to a wine tasting.

19. Round Ice Sphere Molds — $19.99

You know that one friend who wants to get dressed up and hit fancy bars with antlers hung on the walls and suspender-wearing bartenders?

He or she wants these ice molds to emulate pretentious cocktails at home. This set will cost the same as about 2.5 of those drinks — but keep making Old Fashioneds for years.

20. Grow-Your-Own Cocktail Kit — $12

Experiment with herbal cocktails with fresh thyme, lavender, Thai basil, mint, lemon balm and blue borage.

A great gift even for the teetotaler who likes to experiment with exotic recipes.

21. Moscow Mule Mugs — Set of 2 for $19.98

Mules have been trendy lately, and just aren’t the same without the metal mugs that keep the beverage stay cold.

22. Craft Cocktail Base — $17.95

Is the “amateur mixologist” thing not going so well for an ambitious friend or two? Bittermilk takes the guesswork out — and some of these concoctions sound pretty darn good.

Charred grapefruit tonic mixer with sea salt? Smoked honey whiskey sour mix? Yes, please.

23. Craft Bitters — $19.99 or Less

For the more talented at-home barkeep, exotic bitters can be a great way to liven up classic cocktail recipes.

Bittermens makes great bitters. I can vouch for the Burlesque flavor — the Hellfire Habanero Shrub is next on my list!

24. Space-Saving Wall-Mounted Wine Rack — $19.99

This rack holds nine standard wine bottles — and positions them on their sides, to facilitate the cork contact that’s crucial for long-term storage.

Plus, you know, it’s pretty! And a great way to save pantry space.

25. Whiskey Stones — $20

Give the gift of less-watered-down whiskey to a friend who likes to sit and sip.

Freeze the stones to achieve cool beverages without ice dilution.

26. Ice Shot Mold — $14

Take “cold drink” to a new standard by drinking from a vessel made of ice!

Get creative and customize your shot glasses with herbs, bitters or muddled berries as pictured.

27. Good Wine/Craft Beer — Under $25

Why not go straight for the good stuff?

Pick up a nice bottle of wine — not the $7.99 red blend from Dark Horse. Or snag some quality craft beer (Christmas Ales are out), and give them a gift they won’t be tempted to return.

For the Friend Whose Apartment You Covet

You know, the one whose home is flawless, color-coordinated and whose dishes and curtains are somehow always clean? These awesome gifts will add to her beautiful space.

28. Ziplock Glass Bowl — $15.06

This is the cutest candy dish I’ve ever seen and will look great filled with M&Ms, pretzels or any other handy snack foods.

I’d probably not recommend using it as a fish bowl as pictured.

29. Wooden Finger Bowl — $22

Look how pretty! And who on your list wouldn’t love this as a gift?

30. Wooden Trinket Box with Lid— $24

Use this for cotton balls in the bathroom, jewelry on the nightstand or odds and ends anywhere else.

It’s a beautiful accessory for less than $25!

31. Floating Books Bookshelf — $11.24

For the bookworm on your list with the minimalist aesthetic.

I remember being so confused the first time I saw these at a friend’s house. Great brain teaser!

32. Magnetic Sand Hourglass — $6.27

This hourglass would look handsome on any desk.

Perhaps it could help enforce those “just a few more minutes” promises we all make ourselves!

33. City Map Glasses — $12.50

These tumblers put a whole city into your hands, from Portland to New Orleans.

Perfect for a proud New Yorker or a loved one who left his heart in San Francisco.

34. Skyline Posters  — $18

My favorite thing about these skyline posters is that they’re not just huge cities.

Selections include 385 U.S. cities from Akron, Ohio to Penny Hoarder headquarters — St. Petersburg, Florida.

35. Vanishing Bud Vase — $20

Got an artsy friend whose workspace needs a little lift? This bud vase might just do the trick.

36. Geometric Bud Case — $19

When it comes to bud vases, you need options. This one would look super cool with marigolds.

37. Ring Tree — $24

This ring tree from West Elm is a stylish and efficient way to display jewelry.

38. Firefly Clip String Lights — $24

Remember real, tangible, printed photos? You can still make them at CVS or Walmart, or even through online vendors like Mpix.

These clip string lights make a beautiful way to display them in any room.

39. DIY Terrarium Kit — $24

Beautiful succulent displays are a hot home décor item right now — but how much more fun is it to make your own?

This kit includes everything your lucky recipient needs to make her own living masterpiece.

40. Dancing Water Speaker — $20.69

With this speaker from Sharper Image, every song has a visual accompaniment.

Water and multicolored lights “dance” to the beat set by the music. I mean, some people really already do have everything…

41. Brass Wall Decorations — $19

Living in an apartment hip enough to pull off this brass “@” symbol as a standalone art object is on my bucket list.

West Elm’s also got hashtags, crossed arrows and horseshoes.

For the New Mom

Bonus: Add a bottle of wine to any of these.

42. Mute Button Binkie — $7.02

Even the most devoted mom just needs a break sometimes.

This is a great gag gift — but one she can actually put to use, too.

43. Puzzles — $20

Mom needs to pay attention to something else for a change. Like just one full episode of one TV show on Netflix. Just one.

Set her up to keep everyone in the house occupied with this set of five puzzles — she might even get in on the fun herself.

44. Flavor Infuser Water Bottle — $15

We all know how important it is to stay hydrated — especially when chasing the little ones all day long. But plain water can get boring after a while.

Mom can add the flavor of fresh cut strawberries or cucumbers to her eight-glasses-a-day with this inventive bottle. The extra prep time might feel like a luxurious, healthy indulgence.

45. Stackable Lunch Pot — $24

A convenient way for mom to pack lunch for the kids — or herself.

46. Mask Testers — $22

Help pamper mom with this neatly-packaged collection of masks from Origins.

Or, insource the idea and knock a bunch more folks off your list at once for the same amount of money. Make some DIY beauty products, package them nicely and give as gifts.

47. Cereal Bowls — $24.99

Cereal is an amazing morning time-saver. Mom can serve it up in style with this set of cute bowls from Target,.

50. A Coloring Book — for Mom, Not the Kids — $9.95

You may have heard the news that coloring has been shown to reduce stress in adults — so what better gift for a busy new mom?

She can color these more intricate, mature-motor-skills version, while the kids go nuts with the crayons.  

51. Cozy Slippers — on sale for $14!

Every single mom — in fact, every single person — needs a go-to pair of cozy slippers.

These come in three sizes, four colors and are more than 40% off.

52. Bath Bombs — $21.97

Nothing feels as luxurious as a long soak in the tub, complete with a lit candle, a good book and a fizzy bath bomb.

Get your favorite busy mom this set of six for less than $25. For the price, grab one for yourself, too.

53. “You’re Going to Be a Daddy” Spoon — $20

This one’s a little different — a gift for the mother-to-be to consider for someone special!

If you can wait until Christmas to make the announcement, this would be a really cute way to do it — and a great keepsake thereafter.

For the Newlyweds

Or possibly for bae. See also everything under the “friend whose apartment you covet” subhead.

53. DIY Love Map — $22 (Plus Frame)

This is so adorable it’s nauseating.

If you and your significant other travel a lot or have a footloose couple on your list, this is a great way for them to track their adventures together.

It even comes with little heart stickers to place over each destination. Awwwww.

54. Toothpaste Squeezer — $10.99

“That’s not romantic,” you may think. Hear me out.

How many times have you had or heard the “Why don’t you use all the toothpaste” fight?

You know, the one where one person is like, “I just kind of squeeze the tube and then when toothpaste stops coming out, it’s done,” and the other person in the couple is horrified because they painstakingly roll up the tube to get every… last… viable… drop?

This gift will save your relationship — or one you know is on the rocks — for 11 bucks. It’s basically unconscionable not to get it.

55. “What I Love About You By Me” — $10

More filed under “So much aww I kind of want to throw up a little.”

But come on, a personalizable keepsake for a 10-dollar bill? Hard to beat.

56. Personalized Grocery Tote — $19

Got a friend who’s excited about her new last name? Get her this monogrammed grocery shopping tote to help her go green.

57. 52 Geat Dates — $24

Give a couple you love the gift of a whole year of awesome date nights — 48 pre-made ideas and four blank ones for them to fill in with their own perfect days.

For Your Bestie

For your go-to good-news guy or the girl who always takes your 3 a.m. we-just-broke-up phone call, your gift’s gotta be good — but doesn’t have to be expensive.

58. Peanut Butter and Jelly Necklaces — $16

If you go together like PB&J, these necklaces are a great way to feel close — even when life won’t let you stay joined at the hip.

59. Sterling Silver Bow Ring — $22

Tie a silver forget-me-not bow on your best friend’s finger for less than $25. If you want, spend a bit more for 14 karat gold.

60. Secret Message Ring — $24

Remind your bestie to take a deep breath.

But since this ring just looks like a beautiful, broad silver band to outsiders, it’ll be your little secret.

61. One Pound Bag of Your Biffle’s Favorite Starburst Flavor — $8.62

I’ll admit, this one’s got an ulterior motive: He always wants all your pink ones.

Now, you’ll finally get to enjoy your Starburst in peace — the whole roll.

The Entrepreneur

The up-and-comer in your life will find even more success with these gifts:

62. Domain Name — As Little as $2.99

Depending on the name your boss friend needs to create a perfect web presence, you might pay as little as three dollars — and be gifting her earning power in the meantime.

63. Travel Coffee Mug — $23.68

Putting your heart and soul into your business means that sleep can be a low priority.

This gift will help the Type-A personality on your list stay caffeinated, no matter where he is.

64. Touchscreen Capacitive Gloves — That Don’t Look It — $24.99

The business-minded often need to be constantly on-call. Help them stay reliable — and warm.

These gloves are fully technology-compatible, but don’t have the funny-looking multi-colored fingertips cheaper versions do.

How does the magic work? They’re woven through with silver. Cool, right?

65. Multiple USB Wall Charger — $24.99

Technology needs to stay charged to be useful.

This wall charger saves space and keeps everything in one place for quick, convenient access.

66. Planner — $22

Even in the digital age, sometimes you just need to jot down an appointment on the fly.

Nothing replaces a written planner, and this 17-month Lilly Pulitzer version is stylish to boot.

For the Fashion-Conscious

adventur
For those on your list who always look “on fleek” (is that how they use that phrase?), make sure your gift keeps up. It doesn’t have to cost as much as a Coach purse!

66. Personalized Cufflinks — $23.99

So Dad or hubby will keep you in mind during his next meeting.

This is a really nice set for less than $25.

67. Sash Samba Belt — $19.99

A waist belt can really bring any outfit together, be it a dress or a blouse over slacks.

Grab this one for a favorite fashionista for less than 20 bucks.

68. Wishbone Necklace — $24

This necklace is cute on its own, but it looks like this Etsy seller was inspired by Jennifer Aniston’s fashion choice in making it.

I’d call that fashion-savvy, right?

69. Starry Night Necklace — $20

This necklace is both a statement piece and could go with pretty much any outfit — a hard balance to strike.

Even if this one doesn’t quite work for you, this whole Etsy shop is filled with great gifts under $20.

70. Slouchy Knit Beanie — $22

The best kind of cold weather gear is the kind that’s both functional and cute — this hat fits the intersection perfectly.

Want to hoard even more pennies? Knit your own — then teach me how!

For the Adventurer

What do you get the footloose friend who’s always on the road? Even if you can’t afford a plane ticket, help feed their wanderlust.

71. Life-Saver Straw — $19.93

This gift could actually save a life.

If you know an adventuring type who might get caught somewhere without potable water, they could use this straw to turn a natural fresh water source into a drinkable supply. It removes 99.99% of waterborne bacteria and protozoan parasites for less than $20.

I wouldn’t let my loved ones go camping without it — unless their “camping” trip was to the local KOA.

72. Compass — $9.30

A GPS doesn’t actually cover the whole globe — especially if you’re far from a power source and your batteries die.

A compass is a good backup to have — and looks cool on a mantle in between travels.

73. Bottle Opener Ring — $1.38

Don’t let them get stuck without a way to open their cold beer around the campfire. They can wear their access to suds for less than $2.

74. “Get Lost” Flask — $20

A flask true to the wandering spirit’s heart!

75. World’s Smallest Stick-on LED — $6.99

Look at this. Look how handy it is, how many times it would save you a lot of trouble.

It’s less than $10.

76. Yoga/Movement — $20

Nothing feels as good as getting up and moving — and finding new ways to move can be one of the most exciting adventures available.

There are tons of $20-for-30 yoga and dance class packages available on Groupon. Many studios offer discounted introductory rates. Shop around!

77. Ticket Stub Organizer — $14.39

For the compulsive hoarder of mementos. It’s a great way to keep them from piling up!

The Secret Santa You Only Talk to at the Water Cooler

Responsible for a gift for someone you just don’t know very well? You can’t fail with any of these options.

78. A Gift Card — Maybe for Even More Than $25

So you probably already considered the classic, Secret Santa go-to: the Starbucks gift card.

But if you head to a site like Raise, you could score a discounted gift card for a higher denomination, like $30, for the $25 you spend in cash.

Nothing like turning money into more money!

79. Handmade Goat’s Milk Soap — $5

Soap as a gift isn’t insulting when it’s nice soap.

80. Cat Earphone Jack Plug Accessory — $8.99

Does the person you’re buying a gift for have a phone? And a soul? Then they’ll love this cat-shaped earphone jack plug.

Bonus: It keeps dirt and dust out of the jack so it works like a charm every time.

81. Shark Fin Tea Infuser — $11.35

You’ve probably seen enough of this person around the office to know whether they’re the coffee or tea type.

If tea, this is a cute, cheeky gift — especially if that coworker has a “Jaws” poster in their cube!

82. Shark Attack Mug — $11.30

If you want to spend the full $20 cap for your Secret Santa, pair this with the tea infuser above!

83. Watercolors iPhone Case — $10-$25

Artsy coworker proud of their new iPhone 6S? Help them protect it in style with this pretty case.

84. Macbook Keyboard Cover — $19.46

Another gift that pairs well with the one above it.

Protect your Secret Santa’s pricy laptop, while making it look like a technicolor wonder at the same time.

85. Electronics Cleaning Putty — $3.90

Cheap enough to get some for yourself, too, this putty makes cleaning up tricky technology nooks and crannies a breeze.

86. Champagne Gummy Bears — $8

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like champagne or gummy bears.

I also don’t know anyone who’s tried champagne gummy bears, but how can they be bad?

87. A Good Book — $25 or Less

First: Please applaud me for not writing “priceless” in the price section for this gift.

Second: Seriously, a good book can be a life-changing gift.

Yes, taste matters, but some books are classics for a reason. Pick up anything Margaret Atwood for a pretty good chance at making a friend out of your Secret Santa.

88. 6 Months of Dollar Shave Club — $18

If you choose the $3-per-month box, give someone the gift of not buying overpriced razors for half a year.

By the way, this service isn’t just for guys — I subscribe! Don’t pay the pink tax for a “feminine” razor, which is a meaningless phrase, anyway.

89. Mug — $15 or Less

Mugs are an easy, useable gift — and if you know just a little bit about the person, you can get a fairly personal one.

I might grab this one for our Visual Editor here in the office — shh, don’t tell!

Bonus: Fill it up with a few tea bags, a pound of coffee (about $8) or some biscotti for an extra-nice gift.

For the Hard-to-Buy-For

Everyone has people on their list they dread shopping for because it’s just not very easy. Here are some out-of-the-box ideas for the folks who have absolutely everything.

90. A New Hobby — $20

Get a set of new knitting needles for $10, or probably for a lot less at a thrift store.

Throw in a couple of skeins of yarn and some free knitting patterns/youtube instructionals and you’ve given someone the gift of a new (potentially lucrative!) hobby.

Alternatively:

91. Deluxe Art Set — $15.79

Inspire their artistic side with this multimedia kit. They can try everything and find their favorite way to create!

92. A Homemade Meal (Like a Really Nice One) — $25 or Less

This gift is a winner (winner, chicken-or-possibly-something-else dinner) not only because it’s pretty cheap, but because it also involves catching up with the loved one when you sit down to eat it!

“Give” the gift in the form of a coupon or card with a line asking the recipient to name a good time — and maybe even her preferred meal, if you’ve got mad kitchen skills.

93. Homemade Baked Goods — $25 or Less

A homemade gift from the heart that’s portable and more easily put under the tree than a whole dinner.

Plus, cookies!

94. Moleskine — Up to $25

Go ahead and make fun of me for being a stereotypical writer, but empty notebooks have always been a staple in my stocking. Moleskine is one of my favorite brands — they’re sturdy, handsome and have tons of themed options.

There’s sure to be a gift appropriate for everyone on your list. They have baby journals, wellness journals, book journals and journals for tasting notes of chocolate, cheese or wine, just to name a few.

In my opinion, you can never go wrong with a plain empty notebook — choose lined pages, grid paper or plain old blank for the sketchers in your life.

The one listed above is a pretty sweet deal at less than $11 — these suckers can be marked up to $30 in book stores!

95. Tickets to a Local Show — $25 or Less

Support local music — the fame discrepancy means you can see some incredible talent for a fiver. It’s a far cry from the listed $1,500 price of floor tickets the last time T. Swift was in town!

Google local music in your area, use apps to follow specific musicians and see when they’ll be appearing in your region or put out your feelers. Small bands want to be heard: Check telephone polls and community boards for flyers announcing shows.

If you find a bar that has $2 drafts, buy your recipient a whole night out for less than $25.

96. A Movie Date Night — $25 or Less

Even the priciest theaters aren’t usually more than $12 a ticket. If you bring your own snacks, this is a viable option. Nerd out! Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens Dec. 18.

Check out other cheap date night ideas here — lots of these can make romantic Christmas gifts if you plan them right!

97. Savings Account — $25

The minimum amount to open a savings account with a number of banks, including Wells Fargo and Bank of America just so happens to be $25.

This could be the perfect gift for a child who just got her first paper route or babysitting gig — get her started on the right foot and teach her the importance of saving.

98. Humble Bundle — Up to $25 (Pay What You Want!)

If you know a voracious gamer, but don’t want to drop $50 on the newest big name game, check out Humble Bundle, a collection of indie PC games available to anyone with a Steam account.

Pay what you want, and give your recipient the gift of games from up-and-coming developers who need the boost.

99. A Pair of Chickens, a Water Jug or 100 Bars of Soap for a Needy Family — $18-$20

If you’re feeling charitable, give one of these generous gifts in your recipient’s name.

Feel good about how your money is being spent, and your recipient will feel like he’s part of an effort to save lives and make the world a better place — the holiday spirit in its truest sense.

If this sounds like an appealing option, check out our list of other charitable gifts for less than $25.

100. Forgotten English Calendar — $8.81

This is a fun gift that will work for literally anyone on your list who speaks English, uses calendars and has a flat surface to display it.

I got it as a Christmas gift one year and have purchased it myself every year since. Where else can you find gem words to incorporate into your daily usage, like “lunting”? (Verb: to walk while smoking a pipe.)

Free Gift Ideas

Need to stick to a tighter budget? We hear you — that’s why we also have 100 free gift ideas for you!

Your Turn: Which of these gifts under $25 would you like to give or receive? What other options can you suggest?

Disclosure: We have a serious Taco Bell addiction around here. The affiliate links in this post help us order off the dollar menu. Thanks for your support!

Jamie Cattanach is a junior writer at The Penny Hoarder and a native Floridian. She’s passionate about learning, literature, chocolate and finding ways to live the good life as cost-effectively as possible. You can wave hi to @jamiecattanach on Twitter.

The post Spend Less, Give More: 100 Holiday Gift Ideas Under $25 appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.

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