Chicago on the Cheap

Hey if you are looking for fun, free things to do in Chicago... here are some ideas.
I took Olman downtown today and we wanted to do it on the cheap, but experience some great things.

1 // Adler Planetarium View
We did not go in the planetarium, as it was 7 am. But from the Adler planetarium you can get a GREAT view of the city. It was a bit of a snowy day and you can see that part of Lake Michigan was frozen, but great view... we have seen many wedding parties having photos taken out here before.

2 // Millenium Park
This park is always a hit. the great big bean gives a good view of the city. You can also ice skate in the winter and see other interesting pieces of architecture.

3 // Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.
There is a great little FREE museum at the Fed Reserve... as a matter of fact they pay you to come... I walked out with $364 in cash!!! (Okay so the money was shredded...)

This is a picture of me in front of $1,000,000 in ones.
This is Olman infront of $1,000,000 in twenties
4 // John Hancock Signature Lounge
Hands down the best way to see Chicago on the cheap is to visit the John Hancock Signature Lounge. Rather than paying to go to the visitor's deck... Go to the lounge on the 96th floor (2 floors above the observation deck) and order a drink. Drinks are a bit expensive, but cheaper than paying to go to the observation deck. They also have good appetizers, snacks and desserts.
The view from the lounge.

10 Cheapest Ways to Fix Up Your House

10 Cheapest Ways to Fix Up Your House:

1 – Paint
Paint is cheap and covers a multitude of sins. DON’T pay someone to paint for you. You can do it. It doesn’t take a genius.

2 – Light Fixtures
People often think that light fixtures are expensive and hard to replace... And to some extent they are right, they CAN be expensive. BUT you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on a light bulb hanger. They all do the same job. But entry level light fixtures at Home Depot or Aldi’s (they look great in our downstairs bathroom).

3 – Redo the Closets
I know it doesn’t sound fun but if you go to a hardware store and buy the wire closet systems ( http://www.rubbermaidpro.com/wire.htm) they are relatively cheap an really bump up your useability of a closet.
I recommend not getting the shelves with the clothes hanging bars already attached. Instead get the deeper shelves (more space to store stuff!) and the separate clothes hanger bars.

4 – Flooring (Carpet)
Similar to light fixtures, higher “quality” really means “over priced” get real are you going to live in that house 15 years and want the same carpet that long? No. Get a cheaper carpet you like and get it discounted... We like the Illinois Carpet Brokers. They primarily do new builds and have no show room. We go other places find the carpet we like then go to these guys to buy for cheaper.

5 – Curb Appeal
On the TV shows they completely redo the entire outside of the house... Consider cutting out old trees and bushes and replacing them with perennial flowers or hostas.

6 – Do it Yourself
Tile, Laminate Flooring, Carpet Removal, painting, planting, heck even cabinets you can do yourself don’t pay a corporation to do it. I’ll help.

7– Paint Outlets and Light Switches
It is expensive to replace outlets and lightswitches to make them white. When you start adding them up there are a TON in your house. At your hardware store (my fav is Home Depot) buy white appliance spray paint. Now you can spray paint the outlets and switches white and you only have to buy the plate covers which are CHEAP.

8 – Hardware
Replace hardware on old furniture and cabinetry... This is more expensive than you’ll be ready for, but it completely upgrades the looks of things.

9 – Appliances – Used
Watch for a newer washer and dryer on Craigslist or the like to upgrade without overspending

10 – Contentment
Be content where you are, there is no reason to feel like you have to move just to have a few extras.