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8 Out-of-the-Box Gifts for Father’s Day

By U.S. News & World Report

When it comes to Father’s Day gifts, you might be tempted to present your dad with the classic tie, power tool or tech item. Avoid that temptation. The rush from receiving material gifts quickly fades, but fond memories from experiences last a lifetime.

In fact, psychological research has demonstrated that experiences bring more happiness than material gifts. So, when scheming up a gift for Father’s Day this year, skip material gifts in favor of a more meaningful, enduring experience. For inspiration, check out these eight experience gift ideas for Father’s Day.

[See: 12 Habits of Phenomenally Frugal Families.]

1. Woodworking class

Average cost: $75 to $150

With a bit of digging, you may be able to find a variety of adult education opportunities in your area. For Father’s Day, look up a course on a subject matter that will pique your pop’s interest. Your local community college and community center may be good places to start. You can also check out sites such as Groupon.com or Dabble.co, which feature unique classes and experiences in major cities. For the dad who loves working with his hands, try booking a woodworking class. Woodworking courses are often hosted by local hobby shops and community colleges. They typically include basic instruction on techniques and tool operations, plus a take-home project.

2. Guided fishing trip

Average cost: $150 for two

Guided fishing trips can be appreciated by seasoned fishers and first-timers alike. Enroll your pops in a daylong or half-day fishing charter directed by an expert captain. Look for a course that includes equipment and instruction. Daily deal sites such as Groupon.com are a good place to start.

[See: 10 Fun, Frugal Ways to Spend Your Free Time.]

3. Museum membership

Average cost: $60 to $150

Consider giving your dad a membership to his favorite museum or an annual pass to a local zoo, aquarium, movie house, theater, botanical garden or gallery. You can buy your father an individual membership or opt for a family pass to facilitate whole-family outings.

4. Butchery class

Average cost: $150 to $200

For the conscientious carnivore, consider a butchery course. Butchery 101 workshops and classes, led by gourmet chefs and professional butchers, are becoming increasingly popular. During your typical course, your dad can learn the basics of breaking and transforming meat into ribs, roasts, chops and more.

5. Tickets

Average cost: $10 to $200

Purchase tickets for your dad, and you’ll be able to hand over an awesome experience tucked into an envelope on Father’s Day. Depending on your dad’s interests, look for tickets to sports games, concerts, symphonies, comedy shows, lectures or festivals.

6. Racing experience

Average cost: $150 to $300 for three to five laps

Transform your dad into a race car driver for a day with a racing experience package. Speedways and racing schools around the country may offer race car experiences, where visitors take a few high-speed laps around the track in professional race cars. Most packages include an orientation course with the basics of vehicle operation and safety rules.

7. Brewery or winery tour

Average cost: Free to $80

Take your dad on a tour of a local brewery or winery, then top off the experience with a growler or bottle of his libation of choice. If you live in an area with a high concentration of breweries or wineries, you may be able to find an all-inclusive tour that takes you to multiple locations, so you can sip to your heart’s content.

[See: 12 Ways to Be a More Mindful Spender.]

8. Spa day

Average cost: $45 to $200

Long gone are the days of spa treatments limited to ladies. Modern spas offer a variety of rejuvenating and relaxing services geared toward gentlemen. Send your father to a local spot for a specialty spa treatment, such as a sports massage, scalp treatment, sports pedicure, facial, or manicure and pedicure. Many spas promote special Father’s Day packages at this time of year, wooing dads with extras such as craft beer and bourbon cocktails.

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8 Out-of-the-Box Gifts for Father’s Day originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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