There comes a time in every beginner NeoPet owner's life when their Neopoint count gets lower than it should be. I myself went through that phase. At one point, I hardly had more than 100 NPs! However, using these tips, I slowly began to climb in numbers. Within a week, I had over 40,000 Neopoints, and my bank account is still growing!
So here are a few tips on how to managing your Neopoints:
1. Create a bank account- Go to the Neopian Bank, (under "Shops", located on the yellow menu). Select "Junior Saver", (if you have less than 1,000 NPs. If you have more, then select the appropriate account). Deposit all of your money, except for about 300-500 Neopoints. With all of your money in your account, and not out in the open, this allows two things to happen:
- It minimizes the chance of having all of your Neopoints stolen by a random event, and
- It allows you to collect interest at the start of every day, (the amount of interest you collect depends on the amount of Neopoints you have in your account). To collect your interest, go to the bank at the start of every day and click the "Collect ___NPs of Interest" button at the bottom of the screen. Be careful to do this before you deposit or withdrawal any Neopoints, otherwise you will not be able to collect your interest.
*Note: As your bank account increases, make sure you upgrade your account, (at the bottom of the screen). This sometimes also helps raise your interest rate.
2. Play games- Playing games is probably the most consistent way of earning Neopoints. There are many games to choose from, and they are divided into four different categories. This way of earning money is not only easy and reliable, but also fun. A few easy games I'd recommend for beginners are:
- Pyramids
- Kiko Match and
- Ice Cream Factory
Also, another way to earn Neopoints is by spinning the wheels. There are two wheels, the Wheel of Excitement, (located in Faerieland, and costing 100 NPs), and the Wheel of Mediocrity, (located in Tyrannia, and costing 50 NPs). You can win up to 10,000 NPs, plus furniture, PetPets, and much more by spinning the wheels. However, be careful, because there are also many harmful things you can land on.
*Note: Some games cost NPs to play. Before you play a game, ask yourself, "is the risk greater than the reward". If it is, find another game where you don't have to risk quite so much.
3. Look around for free items- Free items are great, even if you can't use them. If you find something that you can't use, then sell it in your shop. This way you make a much bigger profit than you usually would.
For example, omelettes are wonderful products in shops, and, if you don't want to sell them, they are full of nutrition and vitamins for your pets. And the best part is, they're free! All you have to do it go to Tyrannia, (via "Explore" on the yellow menu"), and then go to the plateau. Then go to the giant omelette, and grab a bite to eat! (Limit is 1 per day.) There are many different kinds varying from plain, to green pepper, to bacon and broccoli. They all vary in worth, too. It is a good idea with an omelette, if you're going to sell them, to sell them for about a fifth of the estimated price, because no one is going to by a barbecue omelette for 250 NPs, when they can get one for free. So try selling it for about 50 NPs. You'll find they sell much quicker.
Also, try going to Healing Springs, (in Faerieland), and clicking on "Heal My Pets". It is absolutely free, and the healing Faerie does only good. Sometimes she completely heals and feeds your pet, and sometimes she gives you a healing potion, which is great for shops. It's a trip worth taking, especially for free.
Another thing: Codestones. You will find that your pet mysteriously comes across one on certain pages on Neopets. There are two things you can do with this if you want Neopoints:
- Auction it for about 2,000 NPs, with a minimum increment of about 500 NPs. Codestones are great items that sell, and auction very quickly. It is very likely that it will get bid on.
- If you don't want to auction it, then put it in your shop for about 5,000 NPs, (or more). Then advertise it in your shop description. This will let people know that there are Codestones available, and it should sell in the first day or less. *Note: If you don't want Neopoints from your item, you might want to try trading. Put your item in a trade, and then wait for offers. You might find some great items!
**Note: Watch how much you sell your healing potions and omelettes for. Like I said, no one is going to spend hundreds of Neopoints on an item they can get for free.
4. Look for deals- The best way to shop is to use the shop wizard to find the cheapest price anywhere. Just click on the shop wizard, (on the top bar). Type in your item, (the more specific the better), and, if you're on a budget, type in the maximum amount of Neopoints you can spend, and let the shop wizard to the work for you. *Note: If the shop wizard doesn't find anything the first time, try about 3 more times, and then raise your maximum amount.
5. Plan ahead and budget- Make a budget. That's the best advice I can give you. Record how many Neopoints you earn every week. Then decide how much of that you want to put away, what you will need for the following week, and how much you want to put toward it. This includes food, grooming supplies, toys, and anything else your pet's heart, (or yours) desires. That is your budget, and you should not, for almost any reason, out spend your budget.
Now try to build a spending outline. You can do it a couple ways. You can pick a day of the week, (such as Sunday) and do all your shopping on that day for that week. Then on the next Sunday, do all your shopping for that week, without, of course, out spending your budget.
Or you can do you shopping on a day-by-day system. You pick. Here is an example of a budget:
- Earn: 3,500 NPs a week (500 NPs a day)
- Put Away: 2,500 NPs
- Leave: 1000 NPs
- Sunday: Buy Brush- 20 NPs, Carrot- 10 NPs, Fuzzle- 100 NPs
- Monday: Buy Apple- 10 NPs
- Tuesday: Buy Broccoli- 15 NPs
- Wednesday: Buy Cherries- 15 NPs
- Thursday: Buy Peach- 10 NPs
- Friday: Buy Hot Cakes- 20 NPs
- Saturday: Buy Raspberry Milkshake- 15 NPs, Chocolate Chia- 20 NPs
Total: 230 NPs Leaves 770 NPs for anything else
A simple budget like this covers all the essentials, plus enough for any extras you might want, (collectable cards, Faerie quests, Battledome items, etc.). And you're still adding to your bank account every week. It is a great way to improve your financial situation. *Note: If you have less than 1,000 NPs, including the amount in the bank, then you can go to the "Soup Kitchen", in the marketplace, to get free meals. **Note: Be careful of Faerie Quests. Every so often there is a quest where you spend more than you are rewarded. ***Note: Budget can be discarded at anytime that you think you are rich enough to go without it.
Using these tips, you can slowly build your way to a large fortune. Another tip before I finish: Think before you buy. It can help you a lot. Thank you, and good-bye.
