Plants are something that can be a very fun and rewarding hobby. I have always liked plants for as long as I can remember but fell in love with plants once I bought my first succulent. That one succulent got me hooked and I have been adding to my collection ever since. For people that like plants like I do, I have put together this little guide on Gift Ideas For Those Who Love Plants to give you some suggestions on what you can get to put under the tree this year.

The first gift idea would be ceramic pots! Those who collect and grow plants almost always enjoy getting new pots that they can use. Ceramic pots come in all sorts of sizes and designs which can be fun to shop for. You might also want to get some of the terra cotta pots and paint it yourself which makes the gift even more personable. This might also be a fun idea to do with your family and friends that you can save for years to come.  …

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Whether you’re buying for a holiday, your child’s birthday, or another special occasion, it’s easy to fall into the trap of getting whatever the newest toy craze or trend is only for your kids to stop using the toy after a few weeks or months. To make sure that your kids not only love but use their presents, you should consider giving them something that they can hold not only in their hands but in their memories for years to come. Below are some great non-toy gifts to get your kids.

Fun Classes or Lessons

If your child is interested in a sport or hobby, getting them lessons that will help them be better at that hobby is a great way to give a gift that they will definitely use and won’t easily forget. It’s a great way to encourage your children to continue their learning and to show how learning something new can be fun.

For example, if your child loves swimming but isn’t part of the 36% of children that go swimming at least six times a year, you could give them the gift of swim lessons. No matter what your child’s level is for swimming, a local gym or recreation center will likely have lessons that match their skills. If your child is older and is already a good swimmer, look into local club swim teams for your child to join.

If your child has another hobby that they love, encourage it by signing them up for lessons that will help them hone their skills. If your child loves to draw, you can sign them up for an art class where they can learn age-appropriate skills that relate to their passion. They can even find friends in the class that share the interest with them, and they can find new inspiration and outlets for their artistic abilities.

The same goes for if your child loves music, cooking, or dancing. Research different age-appropriate classes in your area. If you’re looking into something that you and your child could do together, like cooking, you can also see if there are parent and child classes for the added benefit of quality time together.

A Customizable Bag or Jacket

If your child has interests that vary almost constantly, get them a bag or jacket along with a set of patches, buttons, and pins that match their current interests. That way when their interests change they can easily switch out the little additions for something new. When it comes to patches, you should opt for velcro backed patches, also called velcro patches, so they can easily be attached, removed, and switched out. You can easily make areas on the bag or jacket for velcro patches to be attached by sewing a small piece of velcro into several spots on the front of a bag or the back of a jacket.

A Room Renovation

This can be a great way to make sure that your child gets a say in their room to make sure that they love it. A child having space of their own that they have control of can help them develop their personal style by creating a space where they can reflect their likes and interests.

If you choose this option, you can have your child pick out new paint, new furniture pieces, and new pictures or posters to hang up. If you want the paint job to stand the test of time, consider getting it professionally done. Since a good paint job lasts between eight and 10 years, your child will be able to enjoy their walls for years to come. You don’t need to buy an entire new furniture set either — just replacing one piece, such as the bed frame or dresser, can make their room feel completely different.

A Magazine Subscription

A magazine subscription is a great way to get your child excited about reading if they aren’t a huge fan of it. It can also encourage your children to do independent research and learning outside of a school setting. There are many magazines out there that are created for children or teenagers about a multitude of different topics, so you can find exactly what will engage your child.

A Membership

If your child would rather be at your local zoo than anywhere else, consider buying yearly or seasonal passes to the zoo so that your child can go as many times as possible without it destroying your wallet. Other places, like museums, science centers, and aquariums, also offer memberships that could be of interest to your children. Many places that are meant for children will offer discounted rates for children as well as family rates for memberships, so make sure to check the website or call to check.

A Photo Album

If you have younger kids, a photo album filled with pictures and memories from over the past year may not really interest them. However, if you start a yearly tradition of getting them a photo album filled with cards and notes from friends and family and photos of the biggest moments from the year, they will be able to treasure them for years to come.

If your kids are a little bit older, you could also give them an unfilled photo album and a camera so that they can create their own photo album throughout the year.

One-on-One Time

One-on-one time is very important in building a strong relationship with your children. If you have more than one child, though, it can be hard to find time to spend with only one of your children. If there’s an activity that you and your child love to do together, like working in the garden or cooking, give them a gift that will encourage time for just the two of you.

If you and your child love gardening together, you could get them their own tools or a few seed packets so the two of you can work together to grow a plant together. If the two of you love cooking together, signing up for cooking lessons is another great way to have time together. Make sure that if you give a gift that centers on one-on-one time with one child that you also give something similar to your other children so no one feels sad or left out.

If you are aiming to give your child the gift of an experience or a special memory instead of a toy that they’ll only use for a short amount of time, the ideas on this list are great jumping-off points. Make sure to consider your child’s interests and what they want to give them the best possible gift.

What gifted experience do you remember from when you were a kid? What are you thinking about getting your kids for the holidays or for their birthday? Let us know below!

Flipping houses is a popular topic in this day and age, perhaps especially after the 2008 recession, during which many people lost their homes and the practice became more common. We see ads for companies that flip houses on a regular basis, and there are multiple television shows about flipping houses airing right now. But you don’t have to be backed by HGTV or a company in order to begin flipping houses. In fact, it’s an idea that many couples have considered doing, and with good reason. As more and more Americans begin seeking out alternative means of income, either as a side job or in the pursuit of becoming their own bosses, house flipping has emerged as an opportunity uniquely appealing to couples. But it’s not an opportunity for the fainthearted. Entering into any sort of business with your partner can be fraught with peril, as about 70% of all business partnerships ultimately fail. With that being said, let’s look into what all couples should know before trying their hands at flipping houses for profit.

1. It’s Not For Everyone

As a quick review, flipping houses refers to the process of investing in a home or property, renovating it and conducting necessary repairs, and then selling it for a profit, all within a relatively short period of time. Real estate prices are rising in some areas, as in North Texas, where median home prices hit a record $273,000 in 2019; this was up 3% from 2018. As you can imagine, not just anyone can go around investing in real estate. Obviously, you will need the initial capital necessary to buy a home. But you also need great credit to begin with. Unless you have cash in hand to not only pay for a house in full but cover all the necessary renovations and repairs, you’ll need some kind of loan. Due to the American financial crisis a little over a decade ago, lending requirements are now stricter than they once were, and the fact is that flipping a house is associated with financial risk. Be ready to check your credit score, and if it’s low, begin building it up by paying down your debts, paying your bills on time, and keeping your credit card balance low. This will make it easier for you to get a loan, and one with lower interest rates at that. If you’re attempting to flip houses with your partner, this will count for both of you. You’ll still need a good amount of cash, too. Cash will be used for repairs, and it’s a much better idea to have repairs paid for outright than it is for you to put those on a credit card. You never know when the house will sell for certain, and you could end up with hefty bills hanging over your head. Think about building up your savings through an automatic savings plan, like Acorns.

2. Scout Properties Carefully

Don’t invest with your heart when investing in a property that you’re going to flip. You’re not looking for a property that will accommodate your tastes or long-term needs; you’re looking for a house that will appeal to a broad range of people. Obviously, you’ll be looking for a great deal. Many flipped properties were initially bought by investors during a foreclosure auction, as this is often the best way to buy a home cheaply. But you need to weigh the deal that you’re getting against the repairs and renovations needed, as well as the potential gain you can receive once it’s placed on the market. Location is one of the most important things for flippers to consider. Repeat flippers are frequent; in fact, 89% of people who have invested in real estate have indicated that they will invest again in the future. And most of them rely on location above anything else. No matter how great a house looks once you’re done with it, appearance and amenities can’t compete with a great and safe neighborhood. You should look for a neighborhood that is either already prominent and popular or on the rise. Look at areas with rising population growth and real estate sales, and for that matter look into crime rates. At the same time, make sure that you don’t invest in an area wherein inventory is low and demand is so high than flippers are over-investing.

3. Don’t Over-Repair

Yes, a lot of the houses that are flipped are typically at least somewhat damaged. This is what keeps the price low, and flippers can make affordable repairs that will add to the house’s value with a high return on investment. But there are some repairs that can be too much to take on, and ultimately result in the property being something of a waste of both time and money. For example, renovating a bathroom is one thing; but going through and gutting the plumbing system of an entire house is another. Consider that the plumbing industry made over $107 billion in revenue in 2018 alone. If there is anything seriously hazardous in the house like mold, for example, that may be too much to take on for a flipping project, especially your first flip as a couple. Have the house surveyed by an expert before you commit to it.

Ensuring your home is in top-notch condition is crucial, especially when considering the inevitable need for repairs. Utilizing cash for these repairs is undoubtedly the wiser choice, as it eliminates the risk of accumulating unnecessary credit card debt. The unpredictability of the real estate market underscores the importance of having a financial safety net. One of the best ways to save money for a house and its potential repairs is by implementing a seamless automatic savings plan. Platforms like Acorns can effortlessly assist you in building a dedicated fund, allowing you to be financially prepared for unforeseen expenses, and ensuring a smoother homeownership journey.

4. Keep The 70% Rule In Mind

What is the 70% rule? It’s a golden rule for house flippers to follow, whether you’re working as a couple or not. You must think about how much you can afford in general, as well as how much you can afford to lose. House flipping is high risk and high reward. You have to be prepared for the potential for a loss, as well as the potential for a great gain. Therefore, the 70% rule dictates that you should pay no more than 70% of the estimated “after repair value” of the home, minus the cost of repairs. A lot of this is dependent on estimates, yes. But it will keep you much safer on a financial level.

Flipping houses isn’t easy, especially the first time around. It can be stressful and is more personal than other business models. But it can be remarkably rewarding on both a personal and financial level, especially for couples who do it together. Be dedicated and prepared for a challenge; but get excited, too. This can be an amazing adventure for the two of you!