No bucks for Christmas presents? One of Money Saving Mom's contributors is in this position -- their budget just won't allow an extra cent spent for 'storebought' gifts. (Go here for their report.)
It makes more sense to be gradually buying small items...or saving a bit each month out of your regular budget...than come screeching up to December, and realize you've got nothing for presents.
Unless you're a high school student, saving for college.
Or already in school, working to pay for tuition.
Or recently laid off.
Or a single parent, working a hectic schedule.
Or just trying to stay afloat, and save a bit for the future.
We've never been in the "absolutely no money" position -- but we have had several Christmases with very little to spend. One year comes immediately to mind. The Brick had just started driving a schoolbus, and I was working in the grill at Wal-Mart, in between trying to write articles, sell books and keep Brickworks going. I don't remember much about that period; I was too tired. But that holiday season has gone down in family history as the "Thrift Shop Christmas." All of our presents came from the local thrift shop-- for everyone. I was amazed at how many new things, still in the box or with tags attached, that I was able to come up with, at a fraction of their original dollar price.Those went to our family out of state; unless they read this post, they were none the wiser!
The Brick found a beautiful sweater for me, as well as a copper bracelet and earrings I still wear. The girlies had more than their share of clothing and other goodies. All told, we spent less than $50 that year. It taught me that tightening your belt doesn't mean you can't still find Good Stuff.
I still rely on Ye Olde Thrift Shop for Christmas, including decorations (less than $5 spent during a half-price sale on garlands, lights and balls this year for Daughter #1's "blue and silver" tree) and clothes. (A $2.99 University of Michigan sweatshirt for the Brick - Go Blue!)I was surprised -- or maybe not -- to find that thrift shopping, along with garage sales and such, are favorite shopping spots for even millionaires.
If you're going to do it, though, be picky. Very picky. On the same day as the sweatshirt, I found a $2.99 Woolrich wool shirt for the Brick that was perfect -- until I noticed the small stain and tattered edge on one side. Oops...back to the rack.
The dollar store also comes in handy -- but once again, be picky. I used to buy more items there, until I realized that they were breaking more quickly. I still buy cleaning items, brand candy and cooking stuff there -- just not brooms, toys or car accessories.
A surprising place for bargains has been the sale room at libraries. I've found everything from Sharpe DVDs (ooh, that Sean Bean!) and books on CD for a buck, to large gardening history books -- and the latest Jeffrey Archer or Stephen King novel for $2 each. Check carefully, and you'll find new or barely-used items on the shelves -- not only are they perfect for presents, but they mail cheaply too, thanks to media rate.
Obviously, you'll be able to find more if you search garage sales and thrift shops all year -- or save up gradually for purchases. (Or buy your presents, cards and decorations right after Christmas, at January clearance sales!) These tips have helped me, however, whether I'm looking Dec. 11, or eleven months earlier:
*Be fussy. Whether the garment costs 5 cents or 500 dollars, buy quality.
*Ask yourself a question at the thrift shop: would I consider paying full price for this item? If the answer is yes, then it's probably a excellent purchase.
*Keep your budget in mind at all times. Some people split it up -- $20 or so per person -- but I find that limiting. Will you walk away from that hand-knit cashmere sweater for a dollar, just because you've already spent $20 on Grandma?
*Try hard not to buy presents for yourself. Now is not the time.
*Keep an emergency ten or twenty on hand, for those insane bargains that occasionally appear. Some of my best long-term buys have come at times when I was short of cash.
*Use a credit card, and gain extra cash back. As long as you pay it off every month, that is.
*Do some of your shopping at the grocery or discount foods store. A basket of fresh tangerines or bouquet of carnations are always appreciated, and it's easy to combine foods for gift baskets.
*Volunteer at your local thrift shop. Not only do volunteers get first grabs, but our local store gives them a 25% discount. Books are TEN CENTS each, whether they're hardcover or paperback. Bliss to this bibliophile. (Yes, I volunteer.)
*Look for sales -- even at the thrift shop. Ours has half-price sales periodically that, combined with my volunteer discount, make items a steal.
*Buy one 'best' - versus two or more so-so's.Wouldn't you enjoy a high-quality item more than three or four mediocre ones? So would your recipients.
*Found a huge bargain...in bulk? Give it to more than one person on your list. (Trust me -- they won't care. And if they're out of state, they won't even find out you did it, unless you tell them.)
*Always check the clearance aisle. This goes for groceries, too -- a recent trip to King Soopers brought a large bag of spinach for $1.39, a bag of four pomegranates (normally $2 or so each) for $1.25, plus a threesome of microwave kettle corn for .49. (The box was damaged.)
*Think more than 'stuff.' Maybe your child would appreciate a lunch at Wendy's and an afternoon at the park, more than a pillow or backpack. I'd much prefer coffee out with a friend, than a fancy necklace.
Don't forget to give the best present to the people on your list: your love and best wishes. They'll treasure that rare gift long after the cake is eaten and the sweater wears out.
It makes more sense to be gradually buying small items...or saving a bit each month out of your regular budget...than come screeching up to December, and realize you've got nothing for presents.
Unless you're a high school student, saving for college.
Or already in school, working to pay for tuition.
Or recently laid off.
Or a single parent, working a hectic schedule.
Or just trying to stay afloat, and save a bit for the future.
We've never been in the "absolutely no money" position -- but we have had several Christmases with very little to spend. One year comes immediately to mind. The Brick had just started driving a schoolbus, and I was working in the grill at Wal-Mart, in between trying to write articles, sell books and keep Brickworks going. I don't remember much about that period; I was too tired. But that holiday season has gone down in family history as the "Thrift Shop Christmas." All of our presents came from the local thrift shop-- for everyone. I was amazed at how many new things, still in the box or with tags attached, that I was able to come up with, at a fraction of their original dollar price.Those went to our family out of state; unless they read this post, they were none the wiser!
The Brick found a beautiful sweater for me, as well as a copper bracelet and earrings I still wear. The girlies had more than their share of clothing and other goodies. All told, we spent less than $50 that year. It taught me that tightening your belt doesn't mean you can't still find Good Stuff.
I still rely on Ye Olde Thrift Shop for Christmas, including decorations (less than $5 spent during a half-price sale on garlands, lights and balls this year for Daughter #1's "blue and silver" tree) and clothes. (A $2.99 University of Michigan sweatshirt for the Brick - Go Blue!)I was surprised -- or maybe not -- to find that thrift shopping, along with garage sales and such, are favorite shopping spots for even millionaires.
If you're going to do it, though, be picky. Very picky. On the same day as the sweatshirt, I found a $2.99 Woolrich wool shirt for the Brick that was perfect -- until I noticed the small stain and tattered edge on one side. Oops...back to the rack.
The dollar store also comes in handy -- but once again, be picky. I used to buy more items there, until I realized that they were breaking more quickly. I still buy cleaning items, brand candy and cooking stuff there -- just not brooms, toys or car accessories.
A surprising place for bargains has been the sale room at libraries. I've found everything from Sharpe DVDs (ooh, that Sean Bean!) and books on CD for a buck, to large gardening history books -- and the latest Jeffrey Archer or Stephen King novel for $2 each. Check carefully, and you'll find new or barely-used items on the shelves -- not only are they perfect for presents, but they mail cheaply too, thanks to media rate.
Obviously, you'll be able to find more if you search garage sales and thrift shops all year -- or save up gradually for purchases. (Or buy your presents, cards and decorations right after Christmas, at January clearance sales!) These tips have helped me, however, whether I'm looking Dec. 11, or eleven months earlier:
*Be fussy. Whether the garment costs 5 cents or 500 dollars, buy quality.
*Ask yourself a question at the thrift shop: would I consider paying full price for this item? If the answer is yes, then it's probably a excellent purchase.
*Keep your budget in mind at all times. Some people split it up -- $20 or so per person -- but I find that limiting. Will you walk away from that hand-knit cashmere sweater for a dollar, just because you've already spent $20 on Grandma?
*Try hard not to buy presents for yourself. Now is not the time.
*Keep an emergency ten or twenty on hand, for those insane bargains that occasionally appear. Some of my best long-term buys have come at times when I was short of cash.
*Use a credit card, and gain extra cash back. As long as you pay it off every month, that is.
*Do some of your shopping at the grocery or discount foods store. A basket of fresh tangerines or bouquet of carnations are always appreciated, and it's easy to combine foods for gift baskets.
*Volunteer at your local thrift shop. Not only do volunteers get first grabs, but our local store gives them a 25% discount. Books are TEN CENTS each, whether they're hardcover or paperback. Bliss to this bibliophile. (Yes, I volunteer.)
*Look for sales -- even at the thrift shop. Ours has half-price sales periodically that, combined with my volunteer discount, make items a steal.
*Buy one 'best' - versus two or more so-so's.Wouldn't you enjoy a high-quality item more than three or four mediocre ones? So would your recipients.
*Found a huge bargain...in bulk? Give it to more than one person on your list. (Trust me -- they won't care. And if they're out of state, they won't even find out you did it, unless you tell them.)
*Always check the clearance aisle. This goes for groceries, too -- a recent trip to King Soopers brought a large bag of spinach for $1.39, a bag of four pomegranates (normally $2 or so each) for $1.25, plus a threesome of microwave kettle corn for .49. (The box was damaged.)
*Think more than 'stuff.' Maybe your child would appreciate a lunch at Wendy's and an afternoon at the park, more than a pillow or backpack. I'd much prefer coffee out with a friend, than a fancy necklace.
Don't forget to give the best present to the people on your list: your love and best wishes. They'll treasure that rare gift long after the cake is eaten and the sweater wears out.
2 comments:
Super cool tips. This year our department sponsored a family in distress. They don't have any money to spend on Christmas for their 4 children. This post reminded me of that family
Good for your department! That's a wonderful way to help others out, and still give yourselves the warm fuzzies that a successful Christmas present brings.
Thanks so much for visiting...and the kind words.
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