What $1,000 Can Still Do
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Fresh Ways to Spend a Grand
This year Kiplinger's annual feature showcases 37 fresh ways to invest a grand in stocks, funds, your home and yourself. After nearly 20 years, it finds $1,000 can still make an impact.
From the practical to the indulgent, we highlight some of our favorite ideas from Kiplinger's list.
First Up: Solar SavingsMore from Kiplinger.com:
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Solar Savings
For $1,000, you can buy this trio of gizmos:
Natural Light 20 Watt Solar Attic Fan ($430 with shipping), vents up to 1,800 sq.ft. and can be adapted to any roof type.
Lighthouse Stainless Steel Solar Path ($34 each) These solar-powered outdoor lights turn on automatically when it gets dark outside -- and stay on without tapping your electric bill.
Solar Glazed Green Four-Tier Cascade Fountain ($190 with shipping) This fountain from solorahome.org adds Zenlike ambience to your backyard. -- Jessica Anderson
Next: Walk in Tiger's ShoesMore from Kiplinger.com:
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Walk in Tiger's Shoes
Tee off at a U.S. Open Course.
Escape to scenic Torrey Pines Golf Course, host of the 2008 U.S. Open. A two-night, three-day midweek trip will cost you a little less than a grand. Here's how: Weekday greens fees for the South Course are $217, $133 after 3:30 pm. Midweek rates for the North Course run $147. A round-trip flight from Washington D.C., to San Diego on Delta Air Lines was recently $300, and a single room in a two-star hotel a few miles from the course was $68 per night. You can rent a car car from U-Save for $31 a day. Where to Eat While You're There
Next: Cool EntertainmentMore from Kiplinger.com:
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Cool Entertainment
42-Inch Plasma TV, Vizio VP422
Upstart Vizio sells flat-panel high-definition TVs for hundreds less than the big boys. The picture on the VP422 is surprisingly bright and sharp and the set displays dark images well. The 1024-by-768-pixel resolution is good enough for today's high-def TV shows and sports, although it's not 1080p—full HD -- but then no 42-inch set could do justice to the splendor of full HD. -- Jeff Bertolucci
Next: Top Tech RecorderMore from Kiplinger.com:
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Top Tech Recorder
High-Def Camcorder: Canon Vixia HF100
This camcorder ($900) delivers great images and ergonomics. Among its impressive features: 1080p resolution, 12x optical zoom and good video quality. Because the HF100 records on a tiny memory card, Canon engineers were able to shrink the camera so it fits in the palm of your hand. And at 15 ounces, it's light enough to shoot the school play without getting a cramp. -- Jeff Bertolucci
Next: Hottest CoolerMore from Kiplinger.com:
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Hottest Cooler
Refrigerator: Kenmore 6737
You may be sentimentally attached to a 30-year-old, avocado-green Frigidaire. Get over it. New Energy Star–qualified models use 40% less electricity than refrigerators sold just seven years ago. The most efficient one we found for less than a grand is the Kenmore 6737 ($850 in white; $1,050 in stainless steel), which Energy Star estimates will cost $45 a year to run. -- Pat Mertz Esswein
Next: Smart WasherMore from Kiplinger.com:
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Smart Washer
Dishwasher: Bosch 800 Series Evolution
Fire the scullery maid and use the money you save to buy a cutting-edge dishwasher. The most efficient model available for $1,000 is the Bosch 800 Series Evolution (model SHE68M02UC; list price, $1,099; $998 in white at Lowe’s). Among its water-saving features: a sensor that adjusts water use depending on how dirty the dishes are. Plus, it boasts a "half-load" option. -- Pat Mertz Esswein
Next: Stellar CellarMore from Kiplinger.com:
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Stellar Cellar
60 Bottles of the World's Finest Wines.
Rupert & Rothschild Classique 2005 ($22)
Luigi Bosca Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2005 ($18)
Casa Lapostolle Cabernet Sauvignon Rapet Valley 2006 ($13)
Atteca Old Vines 2007 ($16)
Catena Chardonnay 2006 ($18)
More on These Wines
Next: Power UpMore from Kiplinger.com:
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Peter Cosgrove, AP
Power Up
A generator will keep you well lit. Next time the lights go out, turn them -- and the refrigerator -- back on with a Honda EU20001 portable power generator ($1,080 list; $879 at Wisesales.com and Mayberrys.com, with free shipping in the continental U.S.). At 46 pounds, it's truly portable. Plus, the quiet, highly efficient engine produces 2,000 watts and runs up to 15 hours on a gallon of fuel. -- Patricia Mertz Esswein
Next: College Made EasyMore from Kiplinger.com:
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College Made Easy
Start saving early with a 529.
Your $1000 will grow tax-deferred, and distributions will be tax-free, if you use the money for college expenses. Start by looking at your home state's plan. If it offers a tax deduction for contributions,that break trumps lower fees in an out-of-state plan. The playing field is leveled if your state doesn't offer a tax break, or if you live in Arizona, Kansas, Maine, Missouri or Pennsylvania, which give a tax break no matter where you invest.
For Low Overall Costs, Kiplinger Likes ...
Next: Pump Up Your IRAMore from Kiplinger.com:
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Pump Up Your IRA
You can add extra savings this year.
New, higher contribution limits mean almost anyone can add an extra $1,000 to an individual retirement account this year, for a total of $5,000 in 2008. And if you are 50 or older, you can kick in another $1,000 in "catch-up" contributions, for a grand total of $6,000. (To open an IRA, you or your spouse must have earned income and you can deduct all of your contributions as long as you income doesn't exceed $63,000 if you're single or $105,000 if you're married and file a joint return.)
Or You Could Contribute to ...
Next: Stocks for Less Than $4More from Kiplinger.com:
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Stocks for Less Than $4
They're down but not out and could roar back.
Don't Hang Up: Qwest Communications (Q) is the black sheep of the Bell family, the one AT&T spinoff that never bought a cellular provider or made a smart merger, and it's still thought of as a dial-tone provider.
Two More Stocks for Less Than $4
Next: Have a HeartMore from Kiplinger.com:
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Mercy Corp
Have a Heart
Mercy kits let you bring relief to the poor in developing countries.
For $1,000 you can purchase a Well Kit, one of about 20 so-called Mercy Kits offered by Mercy Corps, an Oregon-based charity that operates in 35 countries. the Well Kit helps sponsors build wells and develop sources of clean water. Other choices include the Pig Kit ($190), the Children's Food Kit ($20) and the Children's Playground Kit ($400). -- Jane Bennett Clark
Full Story on Mercy Corps
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More on AOL: Fabulous FreebiesMore from Kiplinger.com:
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More on AOL:
Fabulous Freebies
Kiplinger looked for primo goods and services, no useless junk allowed. In the next slides you'll find financial management and planning helps to entertainment and vacation freebies. Go ahead. Embrace your inner tightwad.
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Recent Comments
Wheatonpup2 12:20:19 PM Sep 20 2008
buying goods gets money back into the system. If everyone hoards cash it causes restaurants, stores and other businesses to suffer. many businesses are trying to help customers by offering good deals. I've seen a bunch on Cityskoop.com for travel, clothes etc
Getwau 12:08:16 PM Sep 20 2008
To those of you commenters who suggested "not spending" the $1000.00, hat's off to you for for being as wise as you are. It took me way too many years to learn you can't spend your way to wealth. Basic financial literacy is lacking at all socio-economic levels. One of the best books you'll ever find about finance is "How to Become Filthy Rich on Your Current Income" at www.how-to-become-rich.com. If people read books like this one we wouldnât have the current situation we do.
DOUTTFIRE 10:49:39 AM Sep 20 2008
Need something to do with $100)? Start an emergency fund. $1000 in the bank, not in stocks or bonds or investments, but $1000 cash in the bank will give you peace of mind knowing that if the water pump goes out on your car or the furnace gives out, you've got a plan and the $$ to implement it. Cam-corders, vacations, plasma TVs...what is this? The 80's? Life is going to happen, it is going to rain. Be prepared. Stay away from credit cards, loans and other debt.
donvcar 10:02:27 AM Sep 20 2008
I'm sorry all you doomsday sayers are going through such a hard time. Yeah, spending a grand on some of these things is unnecessary for most of us, but there are obvisously people who could still do it and not feel the pinch at all. Things are rarely as bad as they seem. If you've got debt, yeah, pay it off! Dumb move in the first place, but don't act like the world is coming to an end for everybody else.... even though, most people are not smart with money. By the way CelizaPoofy, if people spent their money it would improve the economy.... think about it. That's what the economy is...the way goods and money are circulated. Its not the end of the world...yet
Annoythedonkey 09:38:03 AM Sep 20 2008
How to stop credit card debt step one Get a safety deposit box at the bank. Step two put all of you credit cards in the safety deposit box. step 3 do not pay the minimum payments always pay a little more then half of the minimum payment to keep the finance charges from adding up. step four if you really want to buy something on the credit card have all of the money saved up so you can pay it right off. step five if you have a 0% interest credit cad for the one year that the normally give you the 0% interest for right after that offer expires find another credit card that will give you the 0% for how ever long the offer is there for get that credit card transfer the balance and repeat step 5 until debt is paid off. I took a class in high school that told me just what I just told you.
ERNO22 08:43:40 AM Sep 20 2008
Don't let them sell you into the poor house. As the ad says, FEED THE PIG (piggy bank) - and pay off your credit cards.
BARBS001 08:29:07 AM Sep 20 2008
Typo - it is http://www.solarhome.org/ not solorahome.org
STEALTH694 08:10:29 AM Sep 20 2008
The best thing to do with that $1000 would be to pay off debts.3/4th of that stuff was luxury, stainless steel path lights, a big screen..wine?? reality check people, Gas and heating oil is going to cost more this winter and there are definetly credit cards that should be taken care of.Tighten your safety belts all because the coming two yrs are definetly going to be bumpy.
CelizaPoofy 07:52:27 AM Sep 20 2008
Wait...the economy is down, personal debt is growing, and you're telling people to spend $1000 on...vacations? New televisions? A camcorder? Wine? Sure, why doesn't the person spend $1000 on the vacation, record it, go home, get drunk, and play it back over again while drowning in his sorrows about the fact that he spend $1000 on vacation instead of being smart with his money. :P
Stepchild00 06:07:05 AM Sep 20 2008
Best way to make as much as you want with spending any money. Join.zenzuu.com/Mado
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