What do science and personal finance have in common? Not all of us might see the connection, at first, but since science encompasses a plethora of domains, there are many links that can be made between one and the other. The following tips will help you save some pennies and keep you in tune with your passion for science.
Are you into botany? Start growing your own herbs. It goes without saying that the study of plants is significantly more complex than growing some basil in the kitchen, but you’ll still have to put in a bit of work and do some research on the topic. Some plants like a bit more light than others, so you’ll at least have to find out these basics before delving into the wonderful world of greens.
Many rosemary, basil, and oregano pots are available in a myriad of stores near you, so you won’t even have to go through a lot of trouble. In no time, you’ll gain a lot of expertise about what these plants like in terms of light and climate, about natural and artificial fertilizers, and whether some substances (like insecticides) are safe to use or not.
Travel the world and help scientists by volunteering. If you want to volunteer in a botanical conservation project in Ibague, Columbia, you can do so for about $1500. By contrast, if you were to go on vacation to Cartagena, a package holiday would cost you approximately $2400. Anywork Anywhere can help you find the right volunteering program depending on the country you want to visit.
Passionate about a specific science-related topic? Get free books. There are several ways to get free books, but some of the most effective means involve creating a NetGalley account and getting in touch with authors via email. It stands to reason that generally, you have a better chance of receiving an electronic copy than a physical one. Furthermore, writing to a world-known author might be less successful because your letter might not even reach them.
Our advice to you is to create several bookmarks of sites that regularly publish articles about the science topic you’re most interested in, including recent book releases. This practice will allow you to find out about newly published authors that are likely to say yes and send you an e-book if you’re willing to review it on Goodreads or Amazon.
If you’re into psychology, learn more about behavioral science and how you can avoid temptation. There’s a saying that goes something in the lines of ‘All marketers are liars.’ And in most cases, they really are. To avoid temptation, in general, and the one pertaining to food that you know isn’t good for you, in particular, you need to go online and find out as much about counteracting these marketing measures as possible. Not only will you be able to save money if you decide to forego trying out the latest chocolate bar from one brand or the next, but you’ll also be healthier.
Passionate about DIY? Build and use your own optical devices. Searching for high-quality microscopes and telescopes is a daunting task that could cost you a good deal of time and money. Let’s face it, these products aren’t particularly affordable, but the neat thing about some is that they can genuinely help you make money. For example, a reasonably priced dissecting microscope can help you make homemade jewelry if you’re looking to get an extra source of income.
As for building your own telescope, there’s this site called Instructables that’s packed with tutorials on building your own Dobsonian, a mount, or a simple handheld telescope made from PVC.
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