Dec

24

Instant Karma

Filed Under Saving Money, Shopping | 6 Comments

chrismukkahOkay, just cause you’ve procrastinated, as I have in writing this xmas eve post, doesn’t mean you have to arrive empty handed tonight.  Here, a few more  Quick Fix Gifts:

1) Something from home.  Feel free to regift, but do it with class.  Re-pot a holiday plant, print and frame a personal picture, fill a pretty basket with food, trinkets, craft supplies or other themed ideas to appeal to your recipient.  Wrap merrily and be on your way.

2) Something on line.  Print out a gift certificate from anywhere — a local or national chain spa or restaurant, Restaurant.com (code SANTA for 80% off), a gym class or workout, or try Cloud 9 Living for that special something.

3) On the way.  Stop at any open restaurant or store for a gift card.  Make sure it’s something your recipient will enjoy.  Also good is a monthly transit cards in some cities, or for fun, gift cards from movie theaters, and scratch-off lottery tickets.  Print out a greeting card to show that you thought about it before you left the house!

4) From the oven.  Supermarkets are still open.  Pick up some ingredients for home-baked goods, and package prettily.  We have a new favorite here, a low-fat, low-cal fruit trifle.   Bake an fat-free angel food cake, break into pieces and line the bottom of a big glass bowl.  Pour in freshly prepared instant pudding to fill in the spaces.  Follow with a layer of fruit, a layer of sugar free whipped topping, and repeat, using a different fruit.  A guaranteed hit for just a few dollars. And you get to enjoy it too.

5) From the Heart:  Donations to charities, especially those that the recipients care about, are always appreciated and really can make a difference in the world we share.  Live, love and laugh with the people in your life.  Have a wonderful holiday, and may all your gifts be filled with love.

Merry Everything, and Happy Always.

We’ll be taking off for the next 2 weeks or so to revamp our site and clean up our homes.  See you after New Years.  Have a happy, healthy and safe holiday season, and here’s to a FRUGALICIOUS New Year!

Dec

21

Five Really Great, Last Minute, Low Cost Gifts that Make A Difference!

Filed Under Dining Out, Health and Well-Being, Saving Money, Shopping | Comments Off

great, cheap, last minute giftsAs a professional money-saver, I am of course interested in the ways that people are cutting back this year.  Many who I ask have to think, as if it’s not uppermost in their minds, about what they have given up to save.  When pressed, though, the answers are quite varied, from eating out to smoking!  So the thing is, if you can find out what your friends are putting off,  you’ve can identify the perfect gift.

So Gifting this year is different than before.  It’s the year that gifts are not being as frivolous as before.  This is the year where gifts are most valuable when they make a difference, hopefully to you, and the recipient, and beyond.

That said, here are our ideas for the five of the top gifts that make a difference:

1) Make a donation.  Almost every legitimate charity has a  program where they will notify a recipient that donation has been made in their name.  Some also have gifts and trinkets to sell that accomplish the same thing.  This one is easy — go online or on the phone to make a donation without leaving the sofa.  Some of our personal favorites are the Sabrina Cohen Foundation for Stem Cell Research, The Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation, and any organization that brings the Arts to children.

2) Shop at charity sites.  Bidding For Good collects high-end gifts that have been donated to a variety of charities across the country, and offers them for auction to their huge database.  Great place to shop for the person who has everything and wants more, and STILL make a difference.

3) Do you have a friend or family member who has skimped on their healthcare to save money?  This is a serious thing and if it’s affecting someone you know, a picture frame is just not going to do it.  Blue Cross/Blue Shield actually offers a gift card used for premiums.  But if anyone you care about has less than fabulous insurance, you can buy them a check-up, a mammogram or pap smear. There’s just no way to put a value on peace of mind.

4) Take someone shopping.  New clothes and decor are frequently passed over when money is tight, and a day of shopping and friendly advice is worth far more than the cash you spend on a gift card.  And you can be sure your giftee gets something they really want.  Save money on greeting cards by sending an online greeting with your gift message.  Start your free trial at  American Greetings and Blue Mountain to send eCards for every occasion.

5) How about a meal out?  Many of my friends are doing it less, so it could be a gift right on target.  You can buy a gift card with rebate at many restaurants, but even better, Click here for Restaurant.com, buy their $100 gift certificate for $12 (watch for the frequent 80% off promotions; try using shopping code SANTA) and take your friend to lunch or dinner.  If you’re feeling flush and generous, you can also give them a $25 certificate (for another $3) for them to use later on.

Wow, five done and we’ve just begun.  Tune in tomorrow for five more!

Meanwhile, check here for a few more ideas for gifts that give back — to you!