Neopoint-Savvy Neopians

About ME

My main account is lucalovesme, for now. If you have any questions, comments, concerns, etc, or just want to chat, I love to NeoMail! I do Neofriend a bit, but it's mainly for business purposes or similar. If you want to become my Neofriend, please chat for a while before sending a request. I don't Battledome, and I probably never will. Don't bother, really... Some random stuff about my is, um, I run a small adoption agency, and probably will post more information about that as it takes off. I love Chias and collecting for my gallery. I love buying wearables for my Chias and entering in the Caption Contest, etc. I have submitted several articles to the Neopian times.

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Introduction!

I know a lot of Neopians, newbies or otherwise, struggle with their financial situation, trying to balance what they want to do with what they can afford to do. This is meant to educate and give advice on how to improve the money-savvy part of you. Also, even though I consider the Stock Market a great way to earn Neopoints, I won't cover that very thoroughly - I would rather invest (geddit?) my time in improving your overall look at Neopets. Watch our for bold text - that means that there is something important. If you are just skimming, pay attention to anything in bold.
Also, please consider bookmarking this page! It will only take a couple of seconds and that way you have this page on hand whenever you need it.

finding your category

Strangely, I think that this can end up a fairly personal choice. You can earn Neopoints through the Stock Market, your Shop, contests, random events, and games. Some, like the Stock Market, have a certain element of risk to them and risky rewards. Others, like games and your Shop, require lots of effort, but steady rewards. And still others, like contests and random events, are almost pure luck. Hence, my three categories of earning Neopoints: Risk, Effort, and Luck.
You may automatically draw towards the Effort category because you have been taught that it is better to work hard, blah blah blah. I want you to totally forget that for a few minutes. In Neopets, any way to get Neopoints is okay. (Besides scamming, etc.) You have to have an open mind when considering which category is right for you.
First, ask yourself these questions. Do I have the time and energy to sit down for three hours every day on Neopets? Do I need a definite outcome for my effort? If you answered yes to the first and second, you probably fall into the Effort category. If you answered yes to the first and no to the second, are most likely able to choose between any three categories. If you answered no to the first and yes to the second, you are probably Effort or Risk. And if you answered no to both, you are most likely Risk or Luck.
Now that that has been cleared up, scroll down to the category below that defines you for tips on how to earn money your way. However, I would suggest reading every single one, as well as the ALL CATEGORIES section at the bottom for maximum profit.

Effort

If you have lots of time on your hands and want a steady outcome for your money, you most likely fall into this category and should read on, whether skimming or not.
Working your way through games and constantly working your shop is okay, but draining. I would also suggest entering various contests and doing the DAILIES. Keep an avid watch on the Shop Wizard and price your items accordingly. Keep up with the times: If the Advent Calendar just finished up, there will be a smaller crowd for Advent Calendar items unless a collector missed some. Price items cheaply, and raise prices as time goes on. Also, you have to find games that you are good at and have good point-to-effort ratios. WHAT?!?! Point-to-effort ratios. This means, for example, a game that you spend two seconds on for 250 Neopoints has a very HIGH point-to-effort ratio. A game that you can spend a long time on for a 100 Neopoints has a very LOW point-to-effort ratio. No matter what you do, you have to establish a routine and a steady pattern - dailies, restocking, snipes, games, etc - to keep the Neopoints flowing.

Risk

If you have a lot or a little time on your hands and want high rewards fast, you most likely fall into this category and should read on, whether skimming or not.
Neopians who opt for this route are brave but also very smart. If you play your cards right, you can end up a millionaire easily. Or, you could hit rock bottom very fast. How? The stock market and/or gambling games. Devoting your time to the stock market takes a lot. Find out how to become a savvy stock market-er by finding a guide from a guide directory or by asking on the Help boards. If you have questions, NeoMail more experience Neopians. Any frequenter of the stock market should be glad to answer a few questions or direct you to a good guide. So, bottom line? Risky is not always bad, but make sure you learn how to work the ropes before opening the curtain.

Luck

If you have little time on your hands and are looking for a give-or-take way to get a lot of Neopoints, you most likely fall into this category and should read on, whether skimming or not.
Luck is not necessarily a bad thing, since it isn't all luck. I know that phrase is a bit redundant, but please understand. You are not typing random phrases into the contest entries. You should be thinking over your choices, though it is luck in the end. There are many ways to earn Neopoints with luck. Wheels, games, contests, etc. Some take more work than others. If you find games you like, find a guide by asking on the Help board or NeoMails and experience Neopian or Neofriend. Read up on anything and everything you can find out about the contests you are entering. Make sure you know what you are doing - don't assume that a random string of letters has as much chance as anyone else in the Caption Contest. Bottom line: Luck is good - for the lucky - but understand the concepts.

the bottomest of all bottom lines

You may not fit into one category directly. You can incorporate concepts from all three into a personal mix for yourself. Guides can increase your knowledge and know that for every stinging remark you get on the Help board there a three helpful ones. Don't be afraid to ask on specialized boards or do some research yourself. You don't have to be years old or know any special tricks to become a millionaire. You just have to find the way for you.