YOUR MONEY
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 WIN $1,000 | |||
| Have a great inspiration for spending or investing a grand? Tell us about it. We'll award $1,000 to fund the best idea. Enter the contest. |
Since the late 1980s, Kiplinger's Personal Finance has been offering readers ideas on how a little bit of money can accomplish a lot: fight poverty, finance an adventure or buy cheap stocks and funds. We go for a mix of the practical and interesting, and hopefully both, and hit on all of Kiplinger's core topics, from investing to managing your money to rewarding yourself. This year we've outdone ourselves. We've got 47 ways to make the best use of $1,000. One of those will be your idea: We're offering $1,000 to the person who can come up with the best way to spend or invest a grand. Check out our ideas below, and enter our contest with your suggestion.
Invest in your future
Jump Into a Top-Notch Fund
These no-load stock funds have market-beating returns and below-average annual expenses.
Take a Flier on Low-Price Stocks
Shares from these three companies are cheap after posting big declines last year, but they're making a comeback. Plus, buy into bonds through exchange-traded funds.
Make Money Doing Good
You can help others -- and earn a little cash for yourself -- by purchasing a community investment note.
Manage your money
Invest in This Corn-Fed College Savings Plan
Iowa offers a low-cost 529 plan with a variety of investment options.
Defend Against Mother Nature
Protect your home before a storm hits by getting enough -- and the right kind of -- insurance.
Find a New Career
Land a new job with help from an online counseling service -- and complete your career makeover with a new suit or briefcase.
Give Yourself Extra Credit
Contribute to an IRA and get a tax credit if your income falls below a certain level.
Send Your Kids to Camp Cash
Forget swimming and campfires. Give your children money management skills with a summer session of financial education.
Reward yourself
Say Aloha to the World's Biggest Volcano
Travel to the awe-inspiring Mauna Loa in Hawaii -- on the cheap.
Employ Your Own Virtual Butler
Buy an assistant's help for two or three months to help you tackle your tasks. Plus, save time by avoiding traffic backups with GPS navigators.
Savor Wines of the World
Uncork one (or a case) of these bargain-priced bottles from other continents, and enjoy it while watching your favorite show on a high-definition, flat-panel TV.
What Else $1,000 Can Do
Here are more ideas -- from buying a short-term CD to installing a fountain in your garden -- for spending a grand.
