Holiday Gifts That Enable Others To Save Money
With a recent national survey reporting that nearly half of American adults say that it is either somewhat difficult or very difficult to cover their expenses and pay their bills each month, the best gift of all this holiday season may be one that helps the recipient save money. Here are a dozen ways to add a little holiday jingle to their pockets all year long.
- The National Retail Federation projects that 77% of shoppers will buy at least one gift card with nearly 40% of those buyers choosing to give a department store gift card. Prepaid gasoline, grocery store and phone cards are also great ideas.
- One third of consumers buying gift cards this year will purchase a card to a restaurant and more than one in ten will give a coffee shop gift card. Also consider giving gift certificates to a local or fast food restaurant.
- There are many fashionable and inexpensive travel mugs and reusable lunch totes. If someone brews their own coffee at home they could save $15 a week over buying it each day and another $10 a day if they bring their lunch and don't eat out.
- The Environmental Protection Agency estimates Americans purchase nearly 3 billion dry-cell batteries every year to power radios, toys, watches and other devices. This year give techno friends and family members rechargeable batteries and a charger.
- Ninety-four percent of people in this country use coupons and together they save approximately $3 billion each year. Purchase a Sunday or weekend newspaper subscription as a gift, which will deliver money saving sales circulars and coupons to their doorstop.
- A gift membership to an auto club not only offers protection on the road but many clubs have arranged discount offers for their members with retailers as well as travel and entertainment providers.
- The average price for a movie ticket in the first quarter of this year was $7.95. Consider giving the movie fan in your life gift certificates to the local movie theater or a movie rental gift card or online movie subscription. Most cities also have entertainment coupon books for purchase with coupons for local restaurants, theaters and other services.
- Warehouse clubs offer low prices and the luxury of one-stop shopping which saves on gas bills. Even students and single friends on your gift list can save by shopping with friends and splitting large packages.
- A green thumb can mean more green in the wallets of friends who like to cook. They can save on expensive spices and fresh herbs by receiving vegetable or herb seeds and pots for a window or container garden.
- For those that are do-it-yourself types, enable them to take charge of their finances with the gift of personal finance software or a subscription to a finance magazine.
- Give two gifts in one by offering to pay for a service such as babysitting, lawn care, house cleaning, manicures or a haircut. They get just what they want as well as keeping the money they would have paid.
- We saved the best for last with a gift idea that saves money for everyone. Instead of spending money on a gift, perform a service that matches your skills and their needs such as changing the oil in their car, making alterations, tutoring computer skills or performing household repairs.
