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Happy Birthday on the Cheap!

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Happy birthday, Hubs!

Hubs’ birthday was earlier this week and between the recently broken A/C and all of our general debt, we’ve really gotten re-committed to spending less and doing away with all excess. It also helps that we’re getting older and probably just generally not caring about birthdays as much. But even so, I wanted to do something to help hubs’ feel special and recognize his important day without spending a bunch of money. I think we got a nice little mix of both.

Leading up to his birthday, I’d been working with the girls on making home-made gifts. They’re very into crafts so they have been crafting all kinds of stuff from a birthday banner to a big poster decorated with glitter and pictures. Hubs was working early in the morning on his bday, so when I woke the girls up we immediately set out to decorate the house, setting up all the sweet crafts the girls had been working on. When hubs’ got home from his morning w0rk, he was surprised and touched by the thoughtful gifts. The girls are now 6 and they’re just a great age for celebrating birthdays – they showered their Dad with big birthday hugs and kisses and lots of extra love and attention!

That afternoon after school (while hubs was back at work), the girls and I made a homemade birthday cake. When hubs got home, we took him out to dinner. This was our one birthday “splurge,” and we just went to a cheap burger place, so the entire dinner for four was under $40. We came home to sing Happy Birthday and have cake and just generally enjoyed being together.

The craft supplies were all things we had on hand, aside from the poster board (which was a “whopping” $1). We didn’t do any crazy extravagant gifts, just the homemade gifts from the girls, a heart-felt card, and lots of fun birthday decorations the girls made to hang around the house. Hubs said his best gift of all was being showered in hugs and kisses in the morning as soon as he walked in from work. We heard the garage door open as he was getting home and the girls ran and jumped into his arms practically as he walked through the door. It was a pretty precious thing to witness. Girls love their Daddy!

The best part, financially speaking, was the low cost of the entire endeavor. We really went for heart-felt more than fancy. And I think we knocked it out of the park in that regard.

How do you (and/or your spouse) celebrate birthdays for each other? Are you more likely to do fancy gifts or homemade gifts? How do you save money on birthdays while still acknowledging and celebrating the individual?

Affiliate Marketing Income

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In addition to my personal shopping side business, I have been focusing on growing my affiliate income. When set up properly, affiliate marketing can be passive income.

And while it’s not steady or significant at this point, I have made an extra $100 this past month with it.

I’ve always tried to include Amazon links where relevant in blogs I’ve written. But I have never made any money that way. Recommending service based affiliates has been more lucrative.

In fact, earlier this year or last an online marketer I respect and have followed for years, not only made a large amount during a affiliate marketing campaign, but ended up with a “dream” job out of it. How cool is that?!

affiliate marketing

I have been very transparent with my referrals, letting the person know that if they follow my recommendation I will get a referral fee. And I only recommend services that I personally use and pay for myself…I think when done ethically and transparently this could be a great side hustle.

Have you ever done any affiliate marketing or even participated in referral programs where you benefited either monetarily or maybe even with reduced or free services for yourself?

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