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30 Businesses Entrepreneurs Can Start For $5000 Or Less

MJ Staff May 23, 2023

Those who have been in business, understand an infusion of funds into the business is always welcome. Many business people out there have tried to raise capital for their business. While some have succeeded, some have not fared very well. Many others think of venturing into business and need the capital but they do not know where to start. The first-place people think of raising the funds is the financial institution, usually the banks. However, to start a business you will need to have a business plan. It has to be well defined to show your vision, the product/service, how you will make money and grow. A business without a plan is a recipe for disaster, no matter how much capital you may have. It will be a roadmap for your business.

Business plans will help you to get financial help if you need capital. It can be used with banks or other types of investors. One point that doesn’t strike a chord with most businesses is that maintaining proper financial records is important. Managing the financial records is significant from day one of operations. Not only will it prevent you getting into tax problems, it cultivates financial discipline. Don’t be put off when you are failing to get financial assistance for your business. Here are 30 businesses you could start with $5000 or less. If none of them are for you, reading this list might jog your mind to think of something that is of your desire.

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30. Business Consulting

Many companies spend a lot of money to improve their business operations by hiring specialist consultants. This includes human resources, technology, the environment, and marketing. Good business acumen is enough for you to start generating income. The business can be launched from your home. Probably the best consulting business you can start is waste disposal and recycling management. Companies are spending a lot of money every month in this area. It only requires a bit of training to get the necessary skills to perform the work. With the green environment taking center stage, companies hire environmental waste consultants to create waste reduction systems.

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If you are working from home, there will be minimal costs. Overhead costs will include marketing materials, promotion, and any specific certification that are required. There should be a consideration of the utility bills and expenses on your car. If you decide to take care of the waste, then you will need a waste disposal car. This is possibly what will take a big chunk of your start-up capital. A space in your backyard can be used to strip the items for recycling waste requirements. Looking into the above requirements, be prepared to spend between $2,000 to $5,000 dollars. Starting up needs more time and effort, therefore, you can decide to join a network of professional environmental waste management. You can either go solo and attract business through marketing initiatives. Doing it alone involves more time and high marketing costs. There are opportunities for making around $1,000 a week for general consulting. When it’s combined with waste management, you can make as high as $2,000 a week. This is only for one company and getting several companies can earn you a fortune.

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29. Pet Services

If you love pets, then this is probably a business for you. Many people have pets that have various needs. They can not be left alone and require someone to pet-sit them. For instance, there are some pets that are not allowed to board the aircraft and have to be left behind. Pet owners like to leave their pets in a safe and familiar environment. Most people hire pet services for short periods like when they need them on a weekend or day out. There is no better place than the home environment and they need someone to take care of them. This is where a pet service is required to come to their homes and render their services. Starting this business is easy and can be done on a small scale in its initial stage. You can hire or contract more pet-sitters when the business is growing. See if can incorporate pet walking, disciplining, and scooping dog refuse as this will be additional costs to the client.

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The business requires some marketing initiatives that can be done by targeting the community around your area. The targeted audience includes pet food retailers, dog trainers, dog walkers, and pet-grooming services. The capital to start the business is around $2,000. A license, insurance, and bond may be required in some areas. You will have to come up with suitable fees for long and short-term pet services. A good amount of start-up capital goes to the marketing of your business. These include flyers and networking activities. The services involve dealing with different types of dogs. There is a need to understand their characteristics. Love for the dogs and knowledge of animals will help you in providing good services. You are supposed to play, feed and walk with them. You can even upsell your services for untrained animals.

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28. Painting

You will love this business if you don’t mind getting a bit dirty. Painting is one of the businesses that are always in high demand. Most buildings require painting and these can be either residential homes or commercial buildings. There is always a job available for skilled painters. The painting job has two categories which are interior and exterior painters. If you already know the painting work then it will good for you. The business will just need few tools to start-off and you can get high-quality ones for just a small amount. A good place to start your business is by targeting the residential homes, new construction sites, and business places for commercial painting. Mind you, it is involving and you will have to network with the right people when you launch the business. A lot of marketing will do good to your business through advertisements in your local newspaper and flyers. You can distribute your flyers in the hardware shops where building materials are sold.

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Remember, this is a high energy work that requires a lot of standing. The risks are mainly exposure to strong paint fumes. The overheads are around $2,000 that includes mostly drop cloths, a ladder, and edges. You may need to get high-grade paintbrushes that should be durable. Marketing and advertising will take a greater part of your budget. In most areas, they need a license and liability insurance and that has to be taken into account. Taking everything into mind, the biggest investment is your time to attract clients to your business. The return on this investment can be worthwhile. Additional services can be incorporated as the business grows such as pressure washing. Don’t forget to get the extra help that will be needed including the skilled painters, vehicles, and drivers.

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27. Vending Machines

The vending machines are possibly the easiest money-making appliances that you can ever find. It’s cheap to start a business. For instance, a used soda machine will cost you between $800 to $1,000 and a used snack machine is going around $1,200. Or else, if you desire to get a new machine, for each of these types they are going at between $2,000 to $4,000. After getting the machines all you need is to find the right place where you can put them. The initial stock will not cost you that much and you. It will just be a waiting game as you be preparing cash out at the end of a week or weeks. The secret to this business is finding the appropriate place to put the machine. You need to put them where the demand will be in high demand to maximize your earning potential. You may need to pay a few dollars to the owner of the place to get you a good space for your vending machine.

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Once you are in business, on a regular basis you will require to buy more products to refill the machine. Transportation costs have to be considered and regular servicing of the machines. These activities require more of your time and energy. It involves buying, transporting, and reloading the products which can sometimes be overwhelming. In some cases, you may have to pay between 5% to 10% as a fee for renting the area for the machines. Expect to make around $50 a week for one vending machine that is strategically placed. If the place gets a lot of people that are seeking some refreshments, the amount can get higher than this. The returns are even higher if you have bigger and more vending machines that are well placed.

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26. Party Rentals

Where there are children involved, there will be money that will be spent on them. The party rental business is for those who have a love for children. There is a lot of planning that is needed and requires someone who is well organized. Parents spend a lot of money on their children. For instance, the International Association of Amusement Park reported that the average revenue for hosting a child’s birthday party was around $370. This business can be done by having a mobile service where you can go to the place of the event. It can also be done by getting your permanent place or reserved park and wait for the bookings. In either case, the business involves planning the party, decoration, providing entertainment, meals, beverages, games, and contests. The idea is for the kids to get lots of fun and their parents as well.

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The charges for the party services vary depending on the activities but the starting fee is normally $20 per guest. It can go as high as $100 per guest for those that are highly personalized. The overhead for the business is between $200 to $5,000. This will depend on the type and amount of equipment that you want. You can get water slides, games, lightning, and bouncy items. For inflatable equipment, you will get a blower, liability insurance. Having a company-branded vehicle will easily market your services. The fuel costs and insurance will take part of your start-up budget. This business is all about visibility and excellent services. You can use social networks for instance on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to market your services. The work involves a lot of time in setting up and taking down the equipment. In the beginning, marketing activities can be hectic.

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25. Cleaning

Most people are involved in income-generating activities and little time to take care of their surroundings. This includes the companies whose focus is their core business objectives. This is where there is a requirement for maids, crime scene cleaners, house cleaners, and janitors. If you are starting a cleaning service business, certified cleaning specialists are in high demand from all sectors of the economy. The business needs to be equipped with a few items when you are launching it. A few basic cleaning skills are also a requirement to ensure that you can provide the expected standards. The items to be used include a van that can take your items, a few basic supplies, and protective wear. There are other things needed such as liability insurance, business cards, and professional invoices. Good presentation skills are vital to enable you to get good work opportunities.

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All the above things can be sourced for less than $5,000 and a bigger share will go at getting a van. Should your budget be restrictive, then you start small like beginning with window cleaning services. This will require a low amount of money. The business can also have specialized services but you will have to get a certification that will cost more money. The certificates expose you to the specific companies that need such services. Some of the specialized services are restoration, disaster cleanup, and window cleaning. The other expenses will occur along the way such as replacement and upgrade of supplies. The gas, insurance fees, and marketing costs have to be factored in. It will be hard work at the start as you build your clientele base. Once established, you may choose the jobs to deal with. In the beginning, you can charge something like $20 per hour and increase it depending on your services. The fee depends on the targeted market and the amount of time you will be cleaning,

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24. A Blog

Yes, you can have a profitable business centered entirely around blogging about a topic that you are interested in. It was different way back in 2007 when Web 2.0 was still new and the Internet was not as big as it is today. It didn’t have nearly as many users, who weren’t logging nearly as much time online. The internet had fewer devices to access it. In those days of the Internet (a decade on the calendar timeline is a century in Internet years). The ProBlogger.com conducted a survey of its readers. This involved people who were trying to make money from their blog and be “professional bloggers.” The sample had part-time or full-time individuals. They managed to get 3,054 responses to the question, “How much did you earn in October 2007 from blogging?”

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For the month of October that year, 23% of 3,054 ProBlogger readers made $1,000 or more that month. Far more interestingly, 12% made $5000 or more that month. And extremely interestingly, 9% were pulling in some sweet six-figure annual income, making $15,000 for the month of October 2007. If you hunt around on Google, you’ll find many bloggers that publish their earnings and tell you the tools they use and how much they cost. Blogging is even more lucrative today than it was in 2007. To start a blog, all you really need to spend is about $10 for the domain. Then you will need to post the items that will bring traffic to your website. For instance, you can do affiliate marketing with one of the big companies. Let your blog post some of the products and get paid for doing that.

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23. A YouTube Channel

In case you missed it, here was my list of 8 people who became millionaires off their YouTube channels, by uploading their own original videos to YouTube, usually just of them goofing off and playing video games. Did you catch that? These people are becoming millionaires by playing video games, and posting videos to YouTube of them playing and goofing off! The key is to get a good screen capture program that records the video of your computer or TV screen so people can see the game you’re playing, then has another camera facing you so viewers can see your face and reactions as you play. A good mic for decent audio quality is a must as well. Then start playing games, editing the videos together, and uploading them to YouTube.

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If you want to succeed, you have to be likable and funny, energetic and animated, loud and interesting. And you have to upload regularly, really pretty much every day if you want this to turn into anything but a hobby that pays you a few dollars. The money comes from ads YouTube serves on your videos. Keep it clean because swearing and violent content don’t monetize as well. Also, by the way, you can make a lot of money on Twitch too, which is the live streaming version of YouTube and has already created its own crop of millionaires. All the equipment you would need to do this comes cheap. This includes lighting and a reasonably powerful computer for video editing, as well as high-speed Internet. All these can all be had for under $5000. There you have it, don’t forget to post better quality and entertaining YouTube videos to maximize your income.

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22. A Tim Ferriss-Style Muse

You may not have been aware of the 2007 New York Times bestselling book, The Four Hour Work Week. This was written by Tim Ferriss. It’s sub-titled “Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich.” There are all kinds of excellent productivity advice in this book. The really unique value of this book is the step-by-step, cookbook recipe level-specific instructions. Tim Ferriss gives for starting a small business in no time and with little money that sells some product. He tells you exactly how to come up with the product sell. It goes somewhere in the range of $150 – $1000 in price. For instance, over an eCommerce website, you can set up, and get customers by advertising on Google AdWords.

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You brainstorm a list of products you would like to sell. Ideally, they would be ones you would use yourself and aim for something that can be priced as such. Furthermore, should have the ideal search volume and cost per click on Google’s ad network. The process is ideal as it tests the capability of the business at a little cost. You can build the website and test the business’s viability on Google’s ad network for under $5000. Building the website is easy and cheap. The website can be done by yourself or hire someone to do it for you at a reasonable fee. You can get a freelancer who is a specialized website builder. As Ferriss reported on his blog after the publication of the book, many people created extremely lucrative businesses using this method. The idea is to have your business concept and brainstorm if it’s workable. The internet through Google Adwords has made it possible for small businesses to prosper at little startup costs.

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21. An Info Product

One of the ideal products for entrepreneurs without very much startup money is an information product. That’s simply because of the ease and low cost of production and virtually zero cost of distribution in the digital era. All you need in many cases is a reasonably good laptop computer and you can put together and market an info product. There’s a man who owned a storage facility and decided to make an instructional DVD on how to set up security cameras for your storage facility and sell it to other storage facility owners like him. He made half a million dollars that way and his startup costs were well under $5000. Other businesses are working with big companies such as Amazon to display their products.

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You will provide all the information on particular products. The strategy is to get as many clients buying that product on Amazon or other online retail shops. And then you are paid a certain percentage when that product is bought. You are also paid when related products to the product being promoted are bought. The secret is to keep as few products as possible at the beginning. Too many products will just confuse the customers. You can have a blog as well where you discuss the details of a specific product. Invite the clients to comment on that product and give your views regarding the same. This product review initiative will drive many customers to buy the product from the retailer. As long as people are buying the products, you will get a payment for that. The start-up costs are very little and will need more of your time to ensure that clients are being attended to.

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20. An eBook Business

Amazon’s Kindle eBook store grosses millions on top of millions of dollars every month with sales of digital eBooks that people read on their Kindles or mobile devices. It’s free to sign up for an account, get your tax information verified, and upload an eBook you wrote to be listed in their marketplace in its respective category. When someone buys a copy, you make a 70% commission on whatever price you set for the book, and Amazon takes the other 30% for giving you the marketplace full of customers. Not a bad gig. Amazon also has a program called KDP Select in which the company allows readers to subscribe for the unlimited reading of any books that authors opt into that program (most authors do it because it’s big money).

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When a Kindle Unlimited reader reads your eBook, you don’t get paid a commission for the sale of that eBook. You get paid a certain amount for every page they turn, so the more they read, the more you make. The money is divided up among all the page reads of all the KDP Select enrolled books, and the pool is announced each month in advance, usually something around $16 million every month up for grabs. The only investment you might need is the time and energy in writing the books. It needs a lot of careful planning and time to come out with a book. But once it’s completed then you just wait for the financial returns which you will get paid from these companies. There are some individuals who will immediately start writing other books when they finish with the first one. This ensures that you have a large amount of income when all these books are on the market. Get you some.

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19. Online Retail

Online retail has never been more available or profitable to entrepreneurs with little to no startup cash. Shopify will straight up give you a store and a mind-bogglingly massive product list to sell for a small fee every month, all you have to do is bring the traffic (through blogging or buying the traffic). People are making six figures and becoming millionaires off of it. Just Google Shopify success stories and read about how much money some of these people are making with almost no initial startup costs. Online retail is a massive industry with an estimated amount of $36.8 billion in 2013 as stated by Forrester Research. Most of the purchases involve people who are inclined towards the use of technological devices. This number was expected to increase as more people become dependent on the use of digital devices.

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It has become a norm for people to use technology for their daily activities. Many people are using the internet, and in 2015, 60% of the online traffic came from mobile devices. This includes those using the desktops. What makes this business attractive is that there are more than 3 billion internet users every day. This means that when you start online retail, you can expose your products to a wider market. It’s a low-cost business that requires a customized WordPress e-commerce website. This is estimated at $5,000 and includes PayPal and Google Adword software. The marketing and promotional initiatives are a crucial part of it. The business needs to be exposed to the appropriate audience. You can start with online social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. These will cost you next to nothing and you can reach out to a good number of people.

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18. A Freelancing Service

If you have any kind of marketable skill you can start a freelancing service. This will only be at the expense of your laptop, internet connection, time, and attention. There is just too much work to be done and companies need freelancers to increase their paperwork. There are even some individuals who need some quick jobs to be done for them. Some of the freelancing services you can provide include writing, editing, computer programming, photography, and audio engineering. The opportunities for freelancing and the clearinghouses are a multi-billion dollar industry annually. If you’re good you can make a great living. A good way to start this business is to charge lesser fees for your services until you have built a good clientele base. Let’s face it, you will initially have enough time to concentrate on a single project until you get a good number of customers.

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Once the work starts flowing, consistency and quality services are the hallmarks of a successful freelancing business. Once you get a good number of clients you can work on having scheduled fees that will have a specified amount of fees per project. It is important to note that fees are agreeable and should reflect on the projects that you are doing. To increase your income, you can decide to add more freelancers to your team. Should it be difficult to start on your own, you can work with other freelancers until you gain appropriate experience. This will also present an opportunity to see how the business is run before attempting to start on your own. The downside part of it is that you will work for less income compared to doing it yourself.

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17. A Lawn Mowing Company

In my recent blog article, 5 Incredibly Boring Ways to Make a Lot of Money, I covered the basics of how to start and grow a lawn mowing business. You can get the equipment new or used for under $5000. this will leave you with enough to buy some locally targeted search engine advertising. The audience can be people who are on the internet and looking for your services. If not, the best approach to growing a lawn mowing company anyways is getting your friends, and family to hire you. Then you can learn and use the profits to start putting ads up everywhere and growing your client list. When you grow big enough you can start hiring some workers to actually mow the lawns. Then you can devote all your attention to managing and growing the business.

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This business needs someone who likes working outdoors. The individual should have a lot of experience working with flowers, trees, shrubs, and gardens. It involves designing, planting, and managing the gardens. It’s significant to get an idea from your clients exactly their expectations of the ideal garden that they want. Other things you may need to know, include the design of landscaping, their budget, and time frames. The job will then involve placing the plants, soil, rocks, and fertilizer. The garden can be done in phases depending on the client’s requirements. You can charge for your services anything between $25 to $50 per hour. This business works well with repeat customers and therefore, you need to give out your best services. You can advertise your services in a local newspaper and online. Getting to know the garden retailers will help you find more customers.

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16. Candy Machines

You can get and fill up a candy machine with candy for a couple of hundred dollars. We mean those candy machines that take quarters and dispense candy with a crank of that metal turn-style. You see them everywhere, in grocery stores, in restaurants, in hotels, in movie theaters. Go around to places like that or anywhere that people, especially people with kids, gather and ask management if you can place a candy machine there and split the quarters with the store. You’ll have more luck with locally owned, one horse stores than chains, because they have a big corporate process that gums everything up. Get one store and put it in a machine.

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Then get a motel, then a restaurant, and finally, a church, keep moving, keep pushing. Let the snowball roll downhill and grow until soon you’re quitting your day job to knock on more doors asking to install candy machines and driving around town refilling candy and bringing home all those quarters. Just remember, as soon as you can, make the leap into vending machines. There are some places where they will demand a fee for space when you put the machine. Consider incorporating it into the costs of your start-up budget and the transportation cost. This is an easier job and only involves your time and energy. You will need to buy the candy to restock and time to transport your products. The energy levels spent are a little. To get maximum returns on your business, you can buy several candy machines and put them in different places where they are mostly frequented by children. Then you will just have to check after a few days if they need restocking.

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15. Homemade Gourmet Foods

If you’ve been aiming to put your talents to use and run a lucrative business, direct your thoughts towards cooking. It is so because many people work long hours and have tight schedules, they don’t have time to prepare and resort to purchasing pre-made meals. It’s a bustling industry, but you need to be unique and provide your customers with services that are different from your competitors. Homemade gourmet foods are your best chance of amassing funds with a small investment.

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Despite the rising trend in people avoiding the obligation to cook, people are getting tired of the regular fast food. When they eat or order takeout, they strive to eat food that replicates homemade meals. With gourmet dishes, you will attract customers that have both a distinctive taste and enough funds to give you a steady influx of profit. You only need recipes, someone’s house, or even a small rented place. That way, you will surely attract customers.

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14. Handyman

No matter the level of technological advancement, some things will always be broken. Before handymen had to fix record players, now they focus on fridges and smart home systems. The trend has stayed the same for decades – handymen are always needed. The best part about this job is that it requires that you gain certain amounts of knowledge. You don’t need an expensive college degree, nor any extraordinary talent. You can learn how to fix, install and disassemble home appliances in a matter of weeks.

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Aside from the fact that you won’t have to pay for education, you will have to spend just a little on tools. Even though it may seem like a lot at the beginning, high-quality tools will save you a lot more money later on. For handymen, advertising isn’t that important. In this line of work, the best possible promotion is a verbal recommendation. If you do a good enough job, people will recommend you to others.

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13. Snow Removal

During wintertime, even a day or two of snowfall may paralyze an entire area. Although state-financed snow plowing machines cover cities, smaller towns have often been isolated by large amounts of snowfall. There is your chance to both help people and earn a sufficient amount of money. The first thing you’ll need is a group of physically fit and trustworthy people. Snow removal is a simple but tiring line of work. Therefore, you need muscle. Get paid on an hourly wage.

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Subsequently, you will have to have an advertising plan. Arrange deals with people from adjacent towns to be paid by each house in exchange for immediate action when there is snow. That way, you will be able to earn tens of thousands of dollars during one winter. Of course, this business won’t be as lucrative in California or Florida as it is in Montana or Vermont. Regardless, with good organization, you will earn sufficient funds.

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12. Tutoring

College students often worry about starting a business and making it in the corporate world. That situational anxiety is pointless, just because a gold vein of profit is located right under their noses – education. By being surrounded by young people who are potentially struggling in some educational regions, college students have the opportunity to undertake a noble position. They will gain profit from tutoring other students or young children. It requires no money to start – just time and basic teaching skills.

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Post ads online, stick them to your dorm’s message board – people will always call. Make sure you are more flexible than your competition – offer dorm room visits, discounts and always try extra hard. That way, you will be able to have a constant influx of customers willing to pass their exams with your help. And the best part? By repeating what you already know – you will master and improve your skills for further utilization.

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11. Elderly Caregiver

Although it is a job avoided by many, the career of an elder caregiver is not a turbulent one, and it can earn you a lot of money. Unlike previous entries on this list, being an elderly caregiver requires a license and a course or a diploma. Since it’s closely tied to medicine, geriatrics is an excellent choice for med school students. Through such a calling, people can practice their craft while being paid very handsomely. All you need is to put up an ad and go to an interview.

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For some, it can be a challenging profession, as you deal with people who are either physically impaired or suffering from dementia or some other mental condition. Despite the problematic nature of their career, elderly caregivers have seen a steady rise in average median pay the last few decades. For those determined and dedicated, starting a caregiving business is the way to go.

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10. Room Rental

Out of all the job on this, this one requires the least amount of effort. The only thing you need is to have sufficient space where someone can stay. This can either be a room, an apartment, or even a couch. Sites like Couch surfing and Airbnb are becoming more and more popular solutions for travelers. Gone are the days when someone wants to spend a fortune on a 5-star hotel. Providing accommodation is a legal, safe and lucrative business you can start.

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There are certain things to do before welcoming your first guest. You need to have a clean and relatively modern place. Of course, the quality of photographs you put up online has to be superb. Regardless of the real state of your apartment, the online profile you set up is everything. Even just weekend visitors can add some funds to your monthly income. If you have space, it doesn’t cost you a dime to rent it out.

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9. Jewelry Designer

The basis of every jewelry designing endeavor is your creativity. Before investing in jewels, materials, and other tools, think about what ideas do you have. Write them down, design them or even do some 3-D modeling. Afterward, post your copyrighted work online and see how many people are interested. Then, immediately afterward, purchase all the necessary materials in bulk. That way, you will be able to cause immediate hype amongst your customers. As you deliver more and more orders, your brand will become increasingly popular.

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What’s important is to know how to make correct moves in this line of work. Make sure you always expand your horizons and acquire additional skills. Many people used this work as a side gig, whereas they got their main job thanks to the design skills they developed in the beginning. Knowledge of 3-D modeling will pitch you as a worthy candidate to a company that deals in graphic design. Coding is also a skill that can take you to the next level.

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8. Professional Organizer

This line of work only requires resourcefulness. Another skillset that is very desirable when being a professional organizer is punctuality. You can choose to organize an event, but weddings, bachelor parties, and other forms of festivities prove to be the most popular choice. When faced with a client, you have to be precise with your estimates, as well as having a knack for managing money and allocating it accordingly. Mistakes are not an option, but there aren’t any costs to starting an organizing firm.

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Aside from having a natural leading predisposition, it’s also great to build contacts in different industries. Sometimes, your clients will ask for a box of rare wine for their wedding or an expensive brand of lighting for their club party. In all these cases, you must know whom to call, when to call, and how to act when things don’t go according to plan. If you can withstand a lot of pressure and long working hours, then you’ll find the money completely worth it.

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7. Mobile Car Washing

Due to high rent prices and necessary obligations, there are fewer carwash places than ever. This creates a problem for people who frequently see their car gets dirty. And because of the decreasing number of these car washes, the existing ones charge a lot. To exploit this situation on the market, an excellent way to start a business with less than $5000 is to assemble a group of people and wash people’s cars for money, but with a twist. A mobile auto wash organization has many advantages.

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People will be able to call you and book a car washing session. The only thing you must do is take the equipment and visit the caller. Equipment for sufficient car washing costs much less than $5000, as well as hiring two people to help you. Not only will you earn a hefty sum, but you’ll also solve a problem that your customers often have. Remember, every new business rate on the efficiency of its problem-solving.

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6. Bartending Service

Everyone loves cocktails and enjoying a good round of drinks at a party. However, not everyone can do it, and not everyone wants to spend a fortune and go out to a club. That’s where starting a bartending service seems like the ideal choice for anyone looking to organize a party. By hiring a professional bartender, people will save a lot of money and still have a party that they couldn’t dream of. Remember bartenders are both tipped and handsomely paid.

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To ensure that you’re a credible bartender, you need to attend a course and learn all the necessary things. Arrange a party for your friends or acquaintances to finish the course and register a bartending company. People will be able to hire you, pay you a wage, and provide alcohol. If your business goes well, you can start providing alcohol (for a reasonable price, of course).

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5. Bicycle Rentals

If you were wondering why bicycle renting is such a famous line of work, ecology is your answer. That’s right, an increased awareness level due to climate changes has caused bicycle purchases, production, and renting to skyrocket. You don’t have the money to join the production business, but you can earn a hefty sum from renting out bicycles. And this is precisely where increased production will suit you and help you with gaining even more funds. The key action here is buying used bikes. You will conduct business in a simple, but effective manner.

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There are lots of sites that specialize in allowing owners are selling their used bicycles. Because people are impatient and want to gain money as soon as possible, they sell perfectly good bicycles for small amounts of money. By buying these bikes and fixing them up, you gain back the value of every bike after just three rents! Many exchange students do this in foreign countries to earn some extra money. It’s unregulated and easy to master.

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4. Essential Oils and Soaps Making

Since more and more people are turning to natural hygiene products, running an essential oil and soap production company is a great idea. Most of these products can be made with a quite simple production process. You can even find guides online, depicting how to turn plants and other natural products into oils and hygiene products. If you’re looking to start a business with less than $5000, you will find this easy business venture a clear choice to follow. It takes a lot of work and knowledge, but it pays well.

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Aside from specializing in the production of these soaps, you will have to organize a good delivery system. More and more cosmetics startups and even big corporations operate on an online-only basis. Physical stores are a thing of a past, and more and more people are using this opportunity to start a business with minimal investments. Ordering the ingredients in bulk can be much cheaper, and you can use your kitchen as a lab.

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3. Mobile DJ

Do you listen to music and know a lot about a genre or two? If yes, there is an excellent opportunity to capitalize on your knowledge. Different people like different kinds of music and they’ll want to organize parties and enjoy music. If you are a professional DJ and master the skill of using a console, there will no limits as to how much can you earn. All the software you need is available online, as well as the equipment that’s necessary.

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Programs like Traktor, Scratch, Ableton, and others provide you with all the controls needed to mix songs and play music at a party. With only a small investment in a quality mixer, you can work as a DJ for hire. You will be invited to play and paid a hefty sum. A good part of working as a mobile DJ is that there will be people willing to pay a lot of money to play a particular song.

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2. Photographer

The art of catching the moment is an excellent way to earn some extra money and travel the world. Photography is not only popular from a fame-only standpoint, but it also allows you to see other opportunities for further work. A good example of starting to be a professional photographer would be selling your photos via stock sites and Flickr. You only have to make sure that there are not brands visible on the photos and people will be interested in buying them for further use.

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As more and more people buy your work, your Instagram and Facebook content will gain popularity, and you’ll earn money. You can invest it in traveling and taking even more beautiful photos, as well as buying new lenses, tripods, and accessories. Purchasing a mid-level camera is enough, and it costs much less than $5000. Not only does photography earn you a fantastic amount of money, but you’ll be able to travel everywhere.

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1. Cake Baking & Decorating

If you even have the basics of baking, you will be able to turn it into something much more with just hard work. Cake baking is a skill that can be mastered in only a few weeks, with the expenses not reaching more than a few hundred dollars. It’s a far cry from $5000, which may pose as a limit for a “cheap investment.” Decorating is the next step, and you’ll reach a level when people begin to notice you.

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Through social media promotion, you will be able to field orders for different festivities, occasions and in different sizes. People love their cakes decorates, as they end up being valuable memories that mark people’s lives. It’s a worthwhile investment that can end up being a high flourishing business.

Home Retirement Retire In These 30 Beach Towns For Only $40,000 Per Year
Retirement

Retire In These 30 Beach Towns For Only $40,000 Per Year

MJ Staff May 23, 2023

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It’s not hard to believe that many people picture a scenario where they retire on the beach. However, finding somewhere to live on a budget can be difficult, let alone on the beach. According to Market Watch, the average retired American lives on just over $45,000 per year. Considering that most married couples over the age of 65 receive $2,340 per month in social security, this is $28,080 per year in social security checks. So unless they have a hefty IRA stashed away in addition to their social security benefits, finding an affordable beach town may seem like a pipe dream.

Thankfully, these places truly do exist, however. There are cities across the United States and throughout the world that offer everything from warm weather all year round to the lovely four seasons for a white Christmas. There are certainly several retirement mistakes to steer clear of, but choosing to retire in these beach locales is not among them. Here are 30 beach towns where it’s possible to retire for under $40,000 a year according to Thrillist.

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30. Deerfield Beach, Florida

If you like eating, drinking, and celebrating life overall, Deerfield Beach, Florida, presents an amazing retirement opportunity. With several of Florida’s finest local breweries including Holy Mackerel and 26 Degrees and famous restaurants like Tucker Duke’s Lunchbox, Deerfield Beach is a non-stop party location for those so inclined. If you like the quieter outdoors life, Deerfield Beach’s location on the South Coast offers access to countless beaches, parks, fishing preserves, and more. Deerfield Beach also boasts a pristine, wide sand beach with plenty of room for tourists and locals alike, making it a relaxing, warm beach getaway for any retiree.

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The median home price in Deerfield Beach is only $153,000, putting it on par with many Midwestern real estate markers but with much better weather. Rentals are also quite reasonable, giving retirees many options for whatever type of homeownership (or lack thereof) they prefer. As a smaller community, Deerfield Beach has a much more accessible cost of living than nearby large cities like Miami and Boca Raton. Florida has no income tax and many statewide programs for seniors and retirees. It is no coincidence that so many seniors retire to Florida with favorable economic conditions and beautiful weather.

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29. Gulf Shores, Alabama

If you’re looking for an affordable outdoors-oriented retirement destination, look no further than Gulf Shores, Alabama. With over 32 miles of white sand beaches and 15 miles of new and gorgeous oceanfront bike trails, Gulf Shores is designed with active, outdoorsy people in mind. Gulf Shores also has a growing local brewery and restaurant scene and is home to the famous Hangout Music Festival, which has featured the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Vampire Weekend. For the financially minded, Gulf Shores has one of the lowest property tax rates in the entire state of Alabama, so homeownership comes at a great price.

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While the median home price in Gulf Shores is a bit higher than other destinations at $242,000, the low property tax rates help make overall homeownership more affordable. There is a wide range of price options available for renters based on size, accommodations, and distance from the beach. While Gulf Shores has many modern and outdoorsy accommodations, there are also significant benefits for history buffs thanks to its museums and historic sites. Nature lovers can watch the yearly baby sea turtle migration. There is also a great zoo in town, making for a fun destination for grandkids and adult animal lovers alike.

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28. Eureka, California

While many may be surprised to see a California entry on the list with the state’s extremely high cost of living, Eureka, California, is just remote enough to feature affordable housing for homeowners and renters alike. Retirees will have to give up SoCal’s palm trees in exchange for NorCal’s swaying pines, but it’s still a great tradeoff with Eureka’s median home value only being $270,000 versus SoCal’s millions. Eureka only has a population of 26,000, but it’s the biggest coastal town between San Francisco and Portland, meaning it has many of the amenities of a larger community.

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Eureka features a local zoo, which is a treat for visiting grandchildren or adult animal lovers alike, as well as a neighborhood full of historic gothic and Victorian architectural style mansions. If you’re the outdoorsy type, Eureka is perfectly situated to give access to the forests of Oregon as well as the coastal waters of the Pacific. The town is quiet but features plenty of breweries, coffee shops, and local stores to keep even the most urbane shoppers happy. Mushroom lovers will enjoy the rainy climate of nearby temperate forests and the ample, diverse mushroom hunting available to people who retire in the Northwest.

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27. Biddeford, Maine

If you still want to enjoy white Christmases after you retire, Biddeford, Maine could be an ideal destination for you with its warm summers and traditional, snowy winters. Looking like a truly picturesque, storybook coastal town, Biddeford has all of the lighthouses, barns, and rocky beaches you could ask for. Fans of seafood will find an abundance of inexpensive, fresh local lobster and several local chowders. Biddeford has a rapidly growing local brewery and vintner scene, with Banded Brewing, Lorne vineyard, and Round Turn gin distillery being popular spots for nightlife and fine local microbrews.

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Despite the historic and picturesque setting, the median home price in Biddeford is only $223,000, making it extremely inexpensive by East Coast and oceanfront standards. While Biddeford is relatively small, it is quite close to the large city of Portland, meaning many amenities and access to excellent health care facilities is only a short drive away. Retirees should be prepared to either buy a snowblower or hire some neighborhood shoveling help, as Biddeford is subject to the occasional lake effect snow and Nor’easter storm. The beautiful autumn leaf scenery is definitely worth the rare winter storm, though.

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26. Ocean Springs, Mississippi

The Mississippi Gulf Coast is almost as popular with retirees as coastal Southern Florida, and it’s no wonder why with the low cost of living, miles of beaches, quintessential southern charm and friendliness, and warm, gentle winters. Ocean Springs, Mississippi, is truly the embodiment of all of these factors, with a low median home value of only $165,000. The only real drawback to Gulf Coast living is the threat of hurricanes during the summer and autumn, but this shouldn’t be enough to put you off everything the Mississippi gulf has to offer retirees of all walks of life.

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The many amenities of Ocean Springs include its proximity to the Barrier Islands, whose clear turquoise waters are a huge draw for tourists and locals alike. The city also boasts Government Street, a collection of bars with local live music that can give New Orleans a run for its money. Renters will find a wide range of properties, from quiet homes to bustling condos adjacent to lively nightspots. Ocean fishing trips, crab catching, and other outdoor adventures are inexpensive and easy to find for the outdoorsy retiree. Thanks to the diversity of attractions, Ocean Springs routinely ranks as a top US beach city for all.

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25. Coos Bay, Oregon

While Western and coastal Oregon is often associated with the outrageously expensive cost of living of Portland, several beach towns like Coos Bay are far more affordable for retirees. With a median home price of only $173,000 and similarly modest rental rates, Coos Bay is an extremely accessible way to find a coastal paradise. If you enjoy beer, Oregon is notorious for fantastic local breweries, with Coos Bay being no exception with 7 Devils Brewing. Thanks to being so close to larger communities like Seattle, the cost of living for most everyday goods is relatively low.

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Coos Bay is sandwiched between two incredible recreational opportunities: the Sunset Bay State Park and the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area to the north. The State Park features miles of trails of varying difficulty, with some incredible cliffs and scenic overviews of the Pacific Ocean. The National Recreation Area has vast expanses of sand, with some dunes standing over 500 feet tall, making them a true geographic wonder of North America. State and National parks are not only a fantastic investment in our country but also an extremely inexpensive source of entertainment, with even lower rates for senior citizens.

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24. Port Arthur, Texas

Everything does seem to be bigger in Texas, but thankfully property values seem to be the one notable exception. Despite being a decent-sized town with close to 55,000 people, the median home value is rock-bottom $66,000, putting owning a retirement home within reach for many retirees. Rents are correspondingly low, so those wanting low-maintenance or maintenance-free retirement housing will have a wealth of reasonably priced apartments and condos to choose from. Port Arthur is widely considered the cheapest beach city in the United States, so retirees should give this beautiful, modest town a serious look.

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Sitting on the shore of the picturesque Lake Sabine, which shares a shoreline with Louisiana, this Texas gulf town is near the larger metropolitan area of Beaumont and only a few hours away from the bustling Houston area. The only real drawbacks to Port Arthur are the possibility of hurricanes in the summer and autumn and a slightly higher than average property tax rate. However, with homes widely available under $75,000, those can hardly offset the great retirement opportunity. Amenities include the nearby Texas Point National Wildlife Refuge and Sea Rim State Park, both of which can be enjoyed in perfect Gulf Coast weather.

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23. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, has long been a popular vacation destination thanks to its beautiful beaches and warm Southern hospitality. However, many don’t realize that it’s a surprisingly affordable city for retirement, with a median home value of $197,000. Myrtle Beach also has one of the lowest property tax rates of any beach city in the United States, so don’t worry about hidden fees in your escrow account eating away at your retirement savings. While Myrtle Beach has had a rougher reputation in the past, the city has invested money in urban renewal and a beautiful new 1.2-mile boardwalk.

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Myrtle Beach features one of the best minor-league baseball parks in the nation, so baseball fans can enjoy seeing up and comers and rehabbing major league stars. There are also 60 miles of beautiful undeveloped beaches along the grand strand that Myrtle Beach lies on, so there will be no shortage of beach adventures for retirees. South Carolina boasts beautiful weather with slightly less humidity than Gulf destinations but still has warm, mild winters. Motorcycle enthusiasts no doubt already know that Myrtle Beach hosts the infamous Myrtle Beach Bike Week, which sees thousands of cyclists roaring into town on Memorial Day.

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22. Galveston, Texas

Even small towns are bigger in Texas, with Galveston considered a small town despite its population over 50,000. Galveston sits just south of Houston, allowing easy access to big city adventures, including art and history museums and major sports teams like Major League Baseball’s Houston Astros and the NCAA Houston Cougars. Houston also has world-class medical facilities, so Galveston is an excellent choice for retirees with chronic illnesses or other health concerns. With a median home value of only $170,000, Galveston is a much cheaper alternative to bayside Houston properties while still enjoying that Gulf Texas experience.

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The island city of Galveston also boasts 32 miles of beachfront, which means no shortage of unique beachcombing experiences. There is also the unique pyramidal indoor ecosystem at Moody Gardens, as well as the lavish Pleasure Pier that was built to rival Los Angeles, California’s Santa Monica Pier. The pier includes numerous fair attractions and even a rollercoaster for the brave, young at heart retiree. While Galveston is popular with tourists, it’s still a primarily hidden gem with plenty of great spots enjoyed only by locals, with countless great locally-owned shops, restaurants, coffee spots, and bars.

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21. Port Angeles, Washington

Suppose the name Port Angeles tickles a memory in the back of your brain. If it does, Twilight fans will happily inform you it’s because the city is featured throughout the book and film series as a popular destination for Forks, Washington teens, and the site of several major scenes in the books. Regardless of your opinion on vampire fiction, Port Angeles is an ideal West Coast retirement location for anyone who enjoys history or the outdoors. The city boasts unique underground tours of the original buildings left behind when the town elevated its streets to avoid flooding in 1914.

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For the outdoors enthusiast, Olympic National Park is only a few miles from Port Angeles, making it an ideal location for bird watchers, mushroom hunters, hikers, and more. The city is also a popular jumping-off destination for guided whale tours. It is also only a boat ride across the sound from Seattle, so any retirees craving a big city adventure have one close at hand. With a median home value of only $202,000, Port Angeles is far more affordable than most other Pacific Northwest coastal communities, making it a perfect place to frugally and comfortably enjoy your retirement years.

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20. Bay St. Louis, Mississippi

Bay St. Louis, Mississippi is located along the Gulf Coast of the United States. It’s a great town for retirees because it has golf courses, hiking trails, fishing, museums, and more. You can visit the Alice Moseley Folk Art & Antique Museum, the Hollywood Casino, the Buccaneer State Park, or the Bay St. Louis Beach. Mississippi has hot summers and mild winters, with the greatest weather concern being summer and autumn hurricanes. Mississippi is in a USDA growing zone that allows for nearly year-round outdoor gardening. Fresh seafood and southern cooking make Mississippi a delightful culinary retirement spot as well, with an overall low cost of living.

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According to Area Vibes, renters make a median salary of $28,739 while homeowners make $51,080. So with $40,000 a year, you would land somewhere in between the two. For a married couple, they should expect to budget $1,192 per month on living expenses if they live in Bay St. Louis. This leaves plenty left over to enjoy life. The area has a relatively low cost of living, which will allow retirees to enjoy their golden years instead of having to scrimp and save. The mild weather will allow retirees to spend ample time on outdoor adventures which can also save money over expensive indoor entertainment.

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19. Pensacola, Florida

According to the U.S. News & World Report, Pensacola, Florida, is one of the best places to live in the country. It has beautiful beaches, a walkable downtown area, and a low cost of living. Besides enjoying the beach in the summertime, they have the Pensacola Saenger Theater and the Pensacola Museum of Art, which features pieces by world-famous artists like Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso. They also have a summer seafood festival, concerts in the park, and plenty of places to go shopping. Florida has long been a haven for retirees, so the state has ample programs for seniors and retirees, making it a healthy retirement choice as well.

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In case you didn’t know, Florida does not have a state income tax. So anything you receive from social security, a part-time retirement job, or withdrawing investments can be done totally tax-free. On average, houses cost just $140,000. Browsing through apartment listings, the average rent hovers somewhere between $800 to $1,500 depending on the number of bedrooms and location. The low cost of living will leave money for a fishing boat or other high-end outdoor entertainment options if you’re so inclined. Florida has countless options for enriching outdoor or indoor entertainment including Miami’s hotspots and the Everglades.

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18. Akumal, Mexico

The small town of Akumal, Mexico, enjoys gorgeous tropical water on the Caribbean Sea. In the Mayan language, Akumal means “The Land of the Turtles,” and it truly lives up to its namesake. Through the clear waters of the bay, you can spot plenty of sea turtles. For years, not many people have bothered to visit Akumal, but more recently, tourists who vacation in Cancun and Playa del Carmen have decided to make the trip. Because of this new influx of foreigners with money to spend, the town has acquired more restaurants, snorkeling expeditions, bars, and other various entertainment options.

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Compared to the United States, all of Mexico has a significantly lower cost of living. For couples who move to Akumel, two people can live a luxurious lifestyle in the Caribbean for $2,240 a month, or just $26,880 a year. One US dollar is equivalent to almost 20 Mexican pesos, so a meager income of Social Security benefits can stretch a lot farther. The main drawback for monolingual retirees will be the need to learn Spanish to communicate with locals. While some tourism workers will speak English, Spanish is the native language and it is simply a must to learn.

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17. Atlantic City, New Jersey

You’ll find no shortage of retirees strolling the boardwalk of Atlantic City. Famous for its casinos, the city is a vacation destination for people from around the world. This is great for anyone who wants to continue to have fun during their retirement. Atlantic City has comedy clubs, restaurants, shopping, and even an airport. And if you plan to have your grandkids over to visit, you could take them to the famous amusement park on the pier. Atlantic City is in a densely populated area with many amenities and world-class health care facilities making it a great choice for retirees with medical concerns.

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According to Livability, people in Atlantic City have a median household income of $25,737. Rent on apartments can be very cheap in Atlantic City, but you need to be careful because the city does have a high crime rate. Many people opt to pay for a condo that overlooks the ocean instead. If the possibility of property crime doesn’t bother you, there are ample beautiful rental available throughout the city including near the boardwalk. Atlantic City is the perfect retirement opportunity for those who enjoy hustle and bustle and the ability to watch people from all around the world enjoying their city.

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16. Corpus Christi, Texas

The city of Corpus Christi faces the bay of its namesake, which leads out to the Gulf of Mexico. They have a busy downtown area complete with restaurants and bars. There is also the Art Museum of South Texas, The Texas State Aquarium, and the sports stadium Whataburger Field. For nature lovers, there are also state parks with plenty of natural splendor. The Padre Island National Seashore has 380 species of birds and is a refuge for sea turtles. As with other Gulf retirement spots, the main meteorological concern for retirees is the high possibility of summer and autumn hurricanes.

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Rent starts at just $650 per month and goes up depending on the amount of space or luxury you are looking for in an apartment. If you are thinking of selling your current house during your move, the average home in Corpus Christi is just $150,000. Best of all, the state of Texas does not collect income taxes so you can keep more of your social security or pension benefits. Corpus Christi offers extremely warm summers and mild winters, making it an ideal spot for those who enjoy the heat and spending most of their time in outdoor activities.

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15. Placencia, Belize

If you are considering becoming an expat to live in paradise, consider Placencia, Belize. The town has 16 miles of beaches along the crystal-clear Caribbean Sea. In the distance, you can see the Maya mountain chain. Years ago, Placencia was just a small fishing village. Now, there are bars, restaurants, cafes, entertainment, and more. With a high of 86 degrees and a low of 71, the weather in Placencia remains heavenly and consistent all year round. Belize has long been a popular destination for scuba diving and snorkeling thanks to beautiful crystal clear water and abundant, diverse tropical marine life.

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The main language spoken in Belize is English because it was once a British colony. This makes it a very popular tourist destination, and there are also plenty of other ex-pats living there. According to International Living, an average apartment costs just $500 per month. But if you prefer to live in a more luxurious setting, you can get that for $850 per month. If you want to live there permanently, you can get a condo or small house between $100,000 to $150,000. One US dollar is the equivalent of two Belize dollars, so your retirement income can stretch a bit further.

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14. Morehead City, North Carolina

North Carolina is famous for its Southern charm and temperate climate. Morehead City is blessed to have sandy beaches along the bay called The Crystal Coast. There are cruises that can take you through the bay so that you can enjoy the water on a clear day. You can also go sailing or scuba diving. Besides the water, there are plenty of other things to do when friends and family come to visit. They have the Fort Macon State Park, the North Carolina Maritime Museum, and the History Museum of Carteret County. North Carolina is less prone to hurricanes than the Gulf.

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According to Best Places, the cost of renting an apartment starts at just $668 for a one-bedroom apartment, and a 2-bedroom is $875. This is significantly cheaper than many other parts of the United States, especially for a beach town. Most renters have a median income of just over $33,000, and homeowners make an average of $55,000. North Carolina also has beautiful, historic cities you can visit as a day trip like Raleigh and Durham, making it an enjoyable state to discover during your retirement years. Seafood like Atlantic Blue Crabs abound and catching them makes for an extremely enjoyable afternoon.

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13. Mallorca, Spain

Situated in the Mediterranean Sea, Mallorca, Spain, is a gorgeous island paradise. The main language spoken is Spanish, of course. But since it is in Europe, there will be plenty of people who can speak English, and there are actually a lot of German ex-pats who love to visit Mallorca. If you wanted to go somewhere that spoke English, you are just a short round-trip flight to London from Barcelona for just $100. Mallorca has a gorgeous, classic Mediterranean climate with warm summers and extremely mild winters. Delicious, fresh seafood is plentiful and inexpensive and who doesn’t love a good Spanish paella?

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According to Christian Monson from International Living, he happily moved from his home in the United States to live in Mallorca. He pays just $800 a month on his mortgage for a three-bedroom home. A glass of beer at the bar is just $3, taxi rides to the city of Palma are only $10. It’s very affordable for ex-pats to retire there and enjoy the laid-back lifestyle. While the US dollar is weaker than the Euro, typically worth around 80 cents of the Euro’s dollar, the relatively low cost of living in Mallorca still allows for a very comfortable retirement lifestyle.

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12. Volcán, Panama

As the name suggests, Volcán is located near Panama’s one and only volcano, Volcán Baru. The town is small, and not many tourists bother to visit. The population is just 14,000 people, and it is a small farming community near the beach. It is a perfect place to live if you are looking for peace and quiet with gorgeous scenic views. The Volcán Baru National Park and La Amistad Park have hiking trails through forests and jungles. Since it is a more remote village, speaking Spanish is an absolute must as the lack of regular tourism will not have cultivated much of an English speaking population.

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Volcán has been called the “breadbasket of Panama” because its volcanic soil is so nutritious, they produce the vegetables and the flowers for the entire country. Since you would be living in the heart of the farming community, this means that food is cheap and plentiful. The main language is Spanish, so it is necessary to know when you are renting or purchasing a property. But there are a lot of expats living there, so it is possible to make friends with other English speakers at the local bars. Two people can comfortably live on a budget of $1,514 per month.

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11. Fort Pierce, Florida

Located an hour away from the famous Palm Beach, Florida, the town of Fort Pierce gives you the same beaches on a budget. The town of Fort Pierce has been voted by both Reader’s Digest and Travel & Leisure as one of the best main streets in America. The buildings are beautiful, historic architecture standing next to tropical palm trees. There are plenty of restaurants, theaters, comedy shows, and a farmer’s market on Saturdays. On the first Friday of every month, the town has a Friday Fest with live music, food, and community events. If you’re interested in culture and history, Fort Pierce is home to the Navy SEAL museum, as well.

Fort Pierce on a map of Florida. Credit: Shutterstock

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Love fishing? Then you would love to move to Fort Pierce. The fish there have broken records for size. Even though it is such a fantastic location, it is relatively uncrowded with other fishermen. Buying a house costs an average of $150,000. There are plenty of one-bedroom apartments available for $700 to $1,000 a month, depending on the location. According to Census Bureau, most residents of Fort Pierce pay under $10,000 a year in housing costs. Coupled with Florida’s zero income tax, it’s an inexpensive place to live that allows you to stretch your retirement income for maximum benefit.

The beautiful view of the ocean from atop a cliff. Credit: Shutterstock

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10. Lagos, Portugal

Portugal has been a go-to holiday destination for Europeans for a very long time. The town of Lagos is an oceanfront town in the Algarve region, which is known for its beautiful climate all year long. In the winter, it only gets as cold as 52 degrees, and only up to 75 degrees in the summertime. The city is easy to walk around, especially near the marina. It is also just one hour away from the International Airport in Faro, so it should be easy to get on a plane to visit the surrounding countries in Europe, or to see friends and family.

The staircase leading down to the beach in Lagos. Credit: Shutterstock

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Normally, Lagos has a population of only 22,000, but in the summer, tourists begin to visit from all over the world. Even though the main language spoken is Portuguese, you should be able to meet other expats who speak English. The average budget for two people is just $2,080 per month. Retiring to Portugal also gives easy access to popular Spanish retirement destinations like Mallorca or the beautiful, historic cities of Spain like Madrid and Barcelona. Many Universities and language courses have combined Spanish and Portuguese programs, so it would be well worth looking into learning both languages.

Aerial view of Rovinj, Croatia. Credit: Shutterstock

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9. Rovinj, Croatia

If you are a fan of Game of Thrones, you may or may not know that the scenes of the citadel of King’s Landing were filmed in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Since it is a seven-hour drive away from one another, you cannot exactly go on a behind-the-scenes tour so easily. However, the city of Rovinj is a seaside town with its own medieval winding streets that are absolutely breathtaking. Despite being an Eastern European nation, which are often thought of as cold, coastal Croatia has a warm Mediterranean-like climate that is warm, but not hot, summers and extremely mild temperate winters.

These picturesque cobblestone streets will help you feel as if you have gone back in time. Credit: Shutterstock

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According to Numbeo, an apartment in the center of the city is just $355 per month. Everything else in the city is equally as affordable. The main language spoken is Croatian, so be prepared to learn if you want to move there. For some, it may actually be worth it if this is the lifestyle you have always dreamed of. One US dollar is the equivalent of over six Croatian Kuna, so your retirement income, combined with the low cost of living and housing, will stretch much further in Croatia than in Euro Zone countries that use the Euro currency.

A great view of the Daytona Beach Pier. Credit: Shutterstock

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8. Daytona Beach, Florida

Made famous by the Daytona International Speedway, the city of Daytona Beach, Florida, has so much more than just NASCAR races. They also have the Daytona Beach Pier with loads of rides and attractions, which would be perfect for grandkids who come to visit. And, of course, you can relax on the beach with warm weather all year round. Last but not least, it is just an hour away from Orlando, so it’s an easy day trip to visit Disney or Universal Studios. While Florida has a high risk of summer and autumn hurricanes, that risk is offset by the incredibly mild winters and hot summers.

Relax on the sand of Daytona Beach. Credit: Shutterstock

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Again, Florida does not have an income tax, so you will save a lot of money each month. The median income in the city is $41,857. There are plenty of options online to find an apartment between $850 to $1,200 per month. The median home price is just $117,000, which is less than most other places in Florida. There are also world-class medical facilities throughout Florida and the state has many programs in place to support their large senior and retiree populations, so Florida is an ideal retirement location for retirees with chronic illnesses or other medical concerns.

The Tuckerton Seaport. Credit: Shutterstock

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7. Tuckerton, New Jersey

Just 20 minutes away from the luxurious Long Beach Island, Tuckerton is a small shore town that sits on the Great Egg Harbor Bay. Both tourists and local residents can enjoy the historic Tuckerton Seaport, which is now a museum that was once the town’s yacht club. The seaport allows you to take a ferry to Long Beach Island. The ferry drops you off near Bird & Betty’s restaurant, which also doubles as a venue for concerts. It is also within walking distance of museums, restaurants, and the Fantasy Island amusement park. It has old-time American charm and is an ideal destination for history buffs.

Tuckerton is just a few minutes away from Long Beach Island. Credit: Shutterstock

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The town of Tuckerton itself is very quiet, but it has everything you need. This includes antique shops, restaurants, bars, a shopping center, and a Walmart. If you are looking for a place to relax and get some work done with a good cup of coffee, stop by the Union Market cafe, which also serves as an art gallery and co-op for local artisans. Apartments in Tuckerton start at just $800 per month and go up to $1,500 depending on the size you need. The small town size will also let you get to know your neighbors and is an ideal retirement destination for those tired of big city life.

The historic streets of Volterra have stayed the same for thousands of years. Credit: Shutterstock

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6. Volterra, Italy

Located in the heart of Tuscany, the town of Volterra has been preserved for 2,500 years. Walking down the streets, you will feel like you are walking back in time. It has been called one of the most beautiful towns in all of Italy. Tuscany is famous for its beaches and its beautiful wine country. Compared to the famous San Gimignano 20 miles away, Volterra gets very few tourists coming to visit so residents can enjoy a quiet existence. However, the low tourism rate means you will be far more likely to need to learn Italian, at least conversationally, to get by.

The beaches of Tuscany are just a short drive away from Volterra. Credit: Shutterstock

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The town has museums, historic monuments, public spaces, and of course, delicious Italian food. It’s also very affordable, especially compared to the major hotspots in Europe. Two people can live a comfortable lifestyle on $1,715 a month, or $20,580 a year. Italy does use the Euro, officially currency of Euro Zone countries, which is slightly stronger than the US dollar. Typically, one US dollar is worth about 80 cents of a Euro. However, the relatively low cost of living still allows for a very comfortable Mediterranean retirement with rich history, incredible warm summers and mild winters, and delicious and abundant seafood.

The gorgeous beaches of Costa Rica. Credit: Shutterstock

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5. Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

If you are looking for a quiet and laid-back place to live in the Caribbean, look no further than Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica. It’s warm all year long, so you and your family can enjoy lying on the beach, snorkeling to see the beautiful underwater wildlife or surfing. Since it is a popular tourist destination, there are plenty of restaurants, cafes, and supermarkets filled with items imported from other countries. Unlike other islands in the Caribbean, Costa Rica has miraculously been spared from ever suffering the effects of a hurricane, and they have only ever been hit by tropical storms during the rainy season.

Puerto Viejo is rural and surrounded by rain forest. Credit: Shutterstock

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The cost of taxes, food, and rent are all low. There is also a public healthcare system where it’s very cheap to get medical attention when you need it. The only downside is that since Puerto Viejo is relatively rural, you would have to travel for at least 90 minutes to get to the nearest hospital that would be equipped to help you in case of an emergency. According to International Living, you can rent a beautiful, spacious 2-bedroom villa for just $950 a month, and most couples enjoy a very comfortable life living on only $2,000 a month.

A typical street in San Juan. Credit: Shutterstock

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4. San Juan, Puerto Rico

Spanish is the main language spoken in Puerto Rico. But as a US territory and almost-51st-state, many people speak English, and there are plenty of ex-pats living there. This actually makes it very easy for Americans to move there, and you will not have to deal with loads of immigration paperwork. In 2017, Puerto Rico was hit with Hurricane Maria. It was incredibly tragic, and much of the island is still trying to recover. As the largest city, San Juan has the most in terms of restaurants, entertainment, and nightlife, as well as access to medical care and anything else you could possibly need.

You can see the colorful houses of San Juan from the beach. Credit: Shutterstock

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Property prices vary drastically in San Juan. You can find a six-bedroom house in a typical residential neighborhood for just $84,000 or spend a million dollars on an eight-bedroom mansion near the ocean. The same goes for apartments. There are options from $650 per month, all the way up to $6,000. Keep in mind that food and groceries in tourist areas will be incredibly expensive, but most of the residential areas are going to be the same prices you would typically expect in the United States. Puerto Rico’s currency is also the US dollar so you won’t have to worry about any conversion rates.

Gorgeous gardens and temples of Cambodia. Credit: Shutterstock

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3. Phnom Penh, Cambodia

According to IL’s Annual Global Retirement Index, Cambodia is ranked near the top as one of the most affordable places to live in the world. Local residents are friendly and welcoming to Americans, and many people even speak English. Cambodia has only two distinct seasons and consistently warm, tropical temperatures all year. The monsoon season brings heavy rains and humidity. Collectors of rare and tropical plants will enjoy the abundance of rainforest plants that are native to Cambodia. Life expectancy and health care facilities are rapidly developing and improving throughout Cambodia, making it a solid choice for an affordable retirement experience.

The waterfront of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Credit: Shutterstock

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Expats can live comfortably on less than $30,000 per year. The US dollar stretches a lot more in Cambodia, so any American who lives there can have a high quality of living. The city of Phnom Penh has apartments where you can live in a one-bedroom apartment for just $250 per month. Utilities are roughly $100 per month, with food being another $200. One US dollar is equivalent to over 4,000 Cambodian Riel, and while there is obviously some inflation, a US dollar will still stretch a long way allowing for a very comfortable, and possibly even luxurious, retirement.

The rocky beaches of Pedasi, Panama. Credit: Shutterstock

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2. Pedasí, Panama

Four hours away from the bustling Panama City, the small town of Pedasi sits on the Pacific coast. It was once a small fishing village along the sea and has a very relaxed and laid back lifestyle. The beaches are brown and lined with rock formations. Pedasi is considered to be one of the best places to surf in the world. Temperatures stay between 75° to 93° all year long, and it’s far less humid than Panama City. Since it is a more remote village, it will likely be essential to learn Panamanian Spanish to be able to communicate with the locals.

A surfer walking along the beach in Pedasi. Credit: Shutterstock

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The cost of living is very affordable. According to Panama Equity, most couples live comfortably on just $1,500 to $2,000 per month. You can buy a beer for just $1 and hire a housekeeper for only $15 a day. Any other help you might need like gardeners or handymen costs just $5 per hour. The average cost of a 2-bedroom house is $100,000. Rent is only $500 to $1,200 per month, depending on the size you are looking for. The US Dollar is worth exactly one Panamanian Balboa, so the international currency conversion is extremely straightforward.

The view of the beach in Central Valley. Credit: Shutterstock

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1. Central Valley, Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a gorgeous tropical paradise that has been called “the best climate in the world.” It is warm all year long, and rarely gets hit by major storms. In The Central Valley, the majority of the nation’s population lives there. This means that you will find plenty of medical facilities, shopping, restaurants, and entertainment. You can also enjoy amazing natural sights like volcanoes, waterfalls, rivers, and rainforests. The main language spoken in Costa Rica is Spanish, but there are also some people who can speak English thanks to the high number of expats and tourists in the area.

Visitors can see beautiful waterfalls in the Central Valley. Credit: Shutterstock

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Depending on the lifestyle you want to live, you could survive on under $1,000 per month, or spend upwards of $2,000 if you plan to have the life of luxury. If you are looking to buy a property in the Central Valley, there are a number of condos and houses that cost less than $200,000. And if you are looking to visit, it is possible to rent a gorgeous villa with a pool for just $45 per night on Airbnb. One US Dollar is the equivalent of just over 614 Costa Rican Colón, so your retirement savings and income can go a long way.

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