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☆ 10 affordable and thoughtful gifts under $50, recommended by Make It staff: 'I'd buy it again in a heartbeat'
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-29 | by ( Mike Winters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Gifts under $50 can strike a balance between thoughtfulness and practicality, making them ideal for family, friends or even a secret Santa exchange during the holiday season. With that in mind, here are 10 unique, fun and practical gifts for everyone on your shopping list, curated by CNBC Make It staff members. But fortunately for my oral health and fragile ego, my people-pleasing tendencies won out — and the product changed my life. Packing cubesPrice: $21.59 I'm not going to lie — I was influenced by TikTok to buy these Bagsmart compressible packing cubes. I've used it to label everything from my the tabs in my recipe binder to different sizes of knitting needles.

Persons: who've, —, haven't, — Megan Sauer, I'm, Cheyenne, Elham Ataeiazar, — Judy Lagrou, mitt Price, — Cameron Albert, Deitch, — Emmie Martin, Ferris, — Ester Bloom, TikTok, Price, I've, — Hanna Howard Organizations: CNBC Locations: Cheyenne DeVon, Netherlands, Italy, Airalo, Europe

Together with her friend Mariah Allen, she started a company called Controlled Chaos in 2021 to sell pre-worn festival outfits. Getting thriftyThough she went to music festivals like Warped Tour when she was in high school, Karasack started regularly going to festivals, especially electronic dance music festivals like Electric Forest, in 2018. So in 2021, she decided to make her own festival outfits, using the sewing skills her grandmother had taught her as a child. In 2024, she'll attend eight music festivals, and she typically goes to nine or 10 per year. "The music festival scene is the most open and welcoming scene that there is — it is so much fun," she says.

Persons: She's, Karasack, Brooklyn Karasack, Andrea Desky, Mariah Allen, she's, Allen, she'll, —, Hurricane Milton, Pete, automates, whatever's Organizations: CNBC, Insurance, Transportation, Hulu, Spotify, Hurricane Locations: Brooklyn, St . Petersburg , Florida, TikTok, Florida, Canada, Las Vegas, St

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailI launched a business from my living room - now it brings in $9 million a yearJenny Lei, 28, is the founder and CEO of Freja, a company that sells work totes, shoulder purses and travel accessories. The 4-year-old startup brought in more than $9 million in revenue over the last 12 months, including $2 million in profit. Here's how Lei built a trendsetting brand, despite her lack of experience in the industry.

Persons: Jenny Lei, Lei

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailI moved to Bali from the U.S.—now I make $254,000 a yearSteven Guo, 24, relocated to Bali, Indonesia, from Southern California in 2024. He currently makes $254,000 a year running multiple e-commerce businesses that are on track to bring in a combined $1.7 million this year. 06:58 an hour ago

Persons: —, Steven Guo Locations: Bali, Indonesia, Southern California

It all started with a summer project when he was 12 and "super into the game Minecraft," Guo tells CNBC Make It. He recently moved from Southern California to Bali, Indonesia, where he splits a villa with friends and spends his free time surfing. The expense is well worth it for high-quality food, Guo says: "One of the best parts about Bali is how clean and healthy the food is. "Most of my expenses go towards food, but if I do spend money, it's typically towards gifts for family or my girlfriend." As far as what he doesn't spend on, "I absolutely refuse to spend money on things that depreciate in value," like luxury goods, Guo says.

Persons: Steven Guo's, Guo, Steven Guo, Roth, frugally, China who's, We're Organizations: CNBC, University of California, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Transportation Locations: Southern California, Bali, Ruda Putra, Indonesia, Irvine, U.S, Philippines, UK, India, California, Canggu, Portugal, Australia, Hawaii, China, Canada

A little over a year into running her cleaning business, Cool Aunt Cleaners, Anna-Marie Ortiz has learned a lot about the resilience and adaptability needed to succeed as a small business owner. Matt Wolcott | CNBC Make ItOrtiz started the business in July 2023 with her last $2,000 in savings. Despite the failure, running the shop gave Ortiz lasting insights she was able to apply to her cleaning business. To drum up business, Ortiz put up flyers and handed out business cards in targeted neighborhoods. Looking aheadOrtiz has ambitious plans to expand Cool Aunt Cleaners beyond Portland and turn it into a "seven-figure business."

Persons: Marie Ortiz, —, Anna, Matt Wolcott, Ortiz, she's, it's, I've, they're, recalibrating, Ortiz doesn't, she'd Organizations: CNBC, Butler Community College, Transportation, Amazon Prime, Spotify Locations: Portland , Oregon, Wichita , Kansas, Wichita, Kingman , Kansas, Lawrence , Kansas, Portland, West Coast, forbearance

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHow I built a $100,000 a year business without a college degreeAnna-Marie Ortiz, 30, started a side hustle with her last $2,000 in savings in July 2023. A year later, Cool Aunt Cleaners brings in an average of about $10,000 a month, and Ortiz has since quit her day job to run the business full time. Here's how she did it.

Persons: Anna, Marie Ortiz, Ortiz

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWe run a motel in Wyoming that brings in $412,000 a yearRoxanna Harwood, 31, and her husband Chris Harwood, 38, own and operate the Wheels Motel in Greybull, Wyoming. Their home is connected to the motel and they live there with their 4-year-old son. Their business is on track to bring in around $412,000 in 2024. 07:39 an hour ago

Persons: Roxanna Harwood, Chris Harwood Locations: Wyoming, Greybull , Wyoming

In the weeks following their move, Chris found out that his father was planning to sell the family business, the Wheels Motel in Greybull, Wyoming. Still, knowing that his dad couldn't run the motel forever, Chris had previously run the possibility of buying it by Roxanna. The Wheels Motel is located in Greybull, Wyoming, about 100 miles from the east gate of Yellowstone National Park. Chris and Roxanna Harwood purchased the Wheels Motel from Chris' father in 2017. "This will be one of maybe two or three years that we've shown profitability with the motel," Chris says.

Persons: Chris, Roxanna, They'd, he'd, couldn't, Levi Stallings, she'd, Roxanna —, —, they've, Ronan, Roxanna Harwood, Harris, it's, they're Organizations: Roxanna, CNBC, Navy, University of Wyoming, Colorado State, Microsoft, Gas, BMW Locations: Loveland , Colorado, Greybull , Wyoming, Yellowstone, Bighorn, it's, Billings , Montana, Greybull, Wyoming, Laramie, Hulu, Billings

☆ We left the U.S. for Japan to buy a $7,500 abandoned home
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-19 | by ( Mickey Todiwala | Elham Ataeiazar | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Unlocked is a home tour series focused on how much people across the globe spend on their housing, what they get for the money and what they had to sacrifice to make it happen.

Before she built what would become a billion-dollar company, Angie Hicks had to conquer one of her biggest fears: talking to strangers. Hicks — one of the two co-founders of Angi, formerly known as Angie's List — is a self-described introvert. But when the business launched in 1995, she wore many hats — often literally walking door-to-door to recruit Angi's first customers. In 1996, the company rebranded to Angie's List after customers began associating Hicks personally with the recommendations. The company, which went public in 2011, has consistently brought in over one billion dollars every year since 2018.

Persons: Angie Hicks, Hicks, she's, Angi's, wasn't Hicks, Weeks, Bill Oesterle, Oesterle, Columbus didn't, Angi, would've, …, Bill, didn't, Elham Organizations: Angi, CNBC, DePauw University, Partners, Unified, Columbus Locations: Angi, Washington ,, Indianapolis, Columbus , Ohio, Columbus

Sharon Kim partnered with her oldest brother and his wife to purchase a home in the suburbs of New York City for around $750,000. Mickey Todiwala | CNBC Make ItKim and her brother weren't very close growing up, thanks to a seven-year age gap. Mickey Todiwala | CNBC Make ItThe increased down payment gave them the leverage they needed. Kim, her brother and his wife decided to complete the majority of renovations to the home themselves to cut down on costs. Mickey Todiwala | CNBC Make ItKim estimates they've spent around $40,000 on renovations so far.

Persons: Sharon Kim, Mickey Todiwala, Kim, weren't, homeownership, they've Organizations: CNBC, Parsons School of Design, YouTube, Parsons, Spotify, Amazon Prime, Apple Locations: New York City, Manhattan, Queens, New Jersey, South Korea

☆ I pay $460 a month to live by a lake in Mexico – take a look inside
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-21 | by ( Mickey Todiwala | Elham Ataeiazar | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailI pay $460 a month to live by a lake in Mexico – take a look insideJanet Blaser, who relocated to Mexico in 2006, recently moved from Mazatlán to San Antonio Tlayacapan. She discovered a charming 2-bedroom yellow house with a yard for $460 a month in rent. Janet is a retired journalist and CNBC contributor.

Persons: Janet Blaser, Antonio Tlayacapan, Janet Organizations: CNBC Locations: Mexico, Mazatlán

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHow this couple lives on $268,000 a year near Washington, D.C.Cristina Tello-Trillo, 38, and her husband, Sebastian, are both economists living in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. with their 5-year-old son. Cristina is also an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland and a budding real estate investor. Their combined income in 2023 was $268,000. 09:09 an hour ago

Persons: Cristina Tello, Sebastian, Cristina Organizations: University of Maryland Locations: Washington ,

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHow this 17-year-old's Amazon side hustle brings in $409,000 a yearBella Lin, 17, is the founder of GuineaLoft, a company that sells products for small pets, including guinea pig cages, bedding, food feeders and water bottles. In 2024, GuineaLoft has brought in an average of roughly $71,000 per month in revenue so far. That's up more than double compared to last year, when the company brought in $34,000 in average monthly revenue.

Persons: Bella Lin, GuineaLoft

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailI make $112,000 a year as a travel nurse working in a prisonKevin Levu, 24, earns $112,000 a year as a travel nurse working in Pelican Bay State Prison. Levu, who studied nursing while serving in the U.S. Army, took his first travel nursing job in 2023 after learning how much money he could make. Here's how he manages his money. 08:39 9 minutes ago

Persons: Kevin Levu Organizations: U.S . Army Locations: Pelican Bay, Levu

Kevin Levu faces unpredictable dangers during his nursing shifts, including the risk of being stabbed or beaten. A travel nurse, Levu works at Pelican Bay State Prison, which is home to some of the most violent inmates in California. Being a travel nurse "provides a lot of freedom in my life," he says. Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards Kevin Levu in the army. "Kevin Levu at home.

Persons: Kevin Levu, Levu, Chuck Greenwood, I'm, —, there's, wasn't, nudged, Fort Sam Houston, didn't, Doctors, Kevin, fanny, gurney, he's, they're Organizations: CNBC, Pelican, Fort, Fresno City College, IRA, Netflix, Spotify, Toyota Tacoma Locations: Pelican Bay, California, Brookings , Oregon, U.S, Pelican, Crescent City, Northern California, Levu, Oklahoma, San Antonio , Texas, Kevin, Fresno , California, Placerville , California

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via Email29-year-old quit corporate job to sell flowers — now she brings in up to $16,000 a monthVienna Hintze, 29, quit her corporate job in 2020 and started her own marketing agency in NYC. But after a cross-country move to Los Angeles, CA, she found herself wishing for a job that would give her more freedom from a 9 to 5 desk job. She started Main Street Flower Truck in August 2023, and in less than a year it has brought in over $40,000 selling flowers at pop-up events around LA. In May 2024, the business brought in about $16,000. 09:12 2 hours ago

Organizations: Vienna Hintze Locations: Vienna, NYC, Los Angeles , CA, LA

McGaha started plotting her move abroad as soon as she turned 18. "Travel started as a coping mechanism for me to stay excited about life and heal after surviving such a horrific experience and losing my dad," McGaha says. One of her friends suggested she look at teaching jobs in Budapest, Hungary, noting the teacher shortage there and the short visa processing timeline. Her teaching contract included a furnished one-bedroom apartment in Budapest, with a monthly stipend to help cover rent and utilities. Photo: Bence BamerSince moving to Budapest — and losing her teaching job — McGaha has had to apply for several different visas.

Persons: Denae McGaha, McGaha, McGaha's, Ronnie, …, expats, — McGaha, she's, She's, hasn't Organizations: United States —, Budapest — Locations: Harvest , Alabama, Europe, London, Copenhagen, Whidbey, Washington, Budapest, Hungary, United States, American, Covid, ., Instagram, Philadelphia, Budapest's 5th, Hungarian, Seattle

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailI left the U.S. for Thailand — look inside my $544/month apartmentPaul Lee, 28, moved to Bangkok, Thailand from NYC three years ago. He lives in a 650-square-foot one-bedroom apartment in the Thonglor neighborhood, which Paul says is "the SoHo of Bangkok." The apartment came furnished, and Paul has access to amenities, including a pool and a gym. 08:38 an hour ago

Persons: Paul Lee, Paul Locations: Thailand, Bangkok, Thonglor, SoHo

This is an installment of CNBC Make It's Millennial Money series, which profiles people across the globe and details how they earn, spend and save their money.

Organizations: CNBC

☆ Living in the 'first car-free neighborhood in the U.S.' for $1,472 a month
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-22 | by ( Mickey Todiwala | Elham Ataeiazar | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Unlocked is a home tour series focused on how much people across the globe spend on their housing, what they get for the money and what they had to sacrifice to make it happen.

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWe spent $250,000 to open a New York bakery—now it brings in $50 million a yearElisa Marshall and Benjamin Sormonte invested all of their life savings, plus more money from family and friends, to open a cafe called Maman in New York in 2014. Last year, Maman's 34 locations brought in nearly $50 million. "It was one of the biggest financial risks we could ever take," says Marshall.

Persons: Elisa Marshall, Benjamin Sormonte, Marshall Locations: New York

☆ My dad gave me this advice when I was 7 years old—it's made me happier and healthier
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( Megan Sauer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Every summer, my parents used to physically drag my little sister and me on long bike rides. Still, my dad once gave me a one-man standing ovation at a figure skating competition, even though I didn't land any jumps. When I go home for Christmas ever year, my family and I take walks, often back on the White Pine Trail. –Kamaron McNair, money reporterFrom my dad: "Don't get tattooed. –Ashley Turner, senior social media editorMy dad apparently used to sing this Hafez verse to my sisters and me.

Persons: Julia, Sauer, Megan Sauer, I'd, we've, – Kamaron McNair, Max, – Ashley Turner, Ataeiazar, he's, – Renée, Marisa Forziati Organizations: Disney, CNBC Locations: New York

☆ We're much happier living in Spain than in the U.S. — here's how much it costs
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-12 | by ( Tasia Jensen | Elham Ataeiazar | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWe're much happier living in Spain than in the U.S. — here's how much it costsJessica and Eric Smith relocated from Kansas to Logroño, Spain in 2021 with about $45,000 in savings. Despite achieving many elements typical of the American dream, the couple says they still felt unfulfilled. Jessica was seven months pregnant when they made the move abroad, and two months later their son, Quinton, was born. Jessica and Eric have since found a way to live in Spain long-term by becoming self-employed content creators.

Persons: —, Jessica, Eric Smith, Quinton, Eric Locations: Spain, U.S, Kansas, Logroño

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