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The majority of Americans struggle with some kind of financial issue. According to statistics, nearly half of American families spend more than they make each year. The average household has about $8,000 in credit card debt and personal bankruptcies have doubled in the past decade. Since money can be a taboo topic for friends and family members, why not use gifts to help your loved ones with their financial problems? Here are some ideas.
Books
There are lots of great financial books available. If there is a money book that has inspired you, why not give your loved ones a copy, too? Jean Chatzky’s Money 911
Debt Diet DVD
Oprah recently launched the Great American Debt Diet. Not everyone can catch her talk show, but in The Oprah Store you can pick up the Debt Diet DVD series which features five episodes of the Debt Diet series. The DVDs show financial experts working with three typical American families as they climb their way out of debt. Your loved one may be inspired by this gift.
Financial Software
Help your loved ones get their finances in order with the gift of financial software. Crown Money Map Financial Software
The Envelope System
Being organized can help ease money problems. Get your family members or friends off the credit card crutch. Give them The Envelope System, a unique and easy-to-use program that will help them stick to their budget by using cash– not credit.
Gift Cards
Giving your friend or family member cash may not be the best gift– especially if they’ve been known to spend it unwisely. Instead give them a gift card to a grocery store or drug store so you can be fairly sure the money is going to a practical and useful purpose.
Pre-Paid Energy Bills
If you know of a family that’s struggling to make ends meet, take some of the weight off their shoulders by pre-paying their electric or water bill for six months or a year. It’s a practical gift that will help lift some money burdens and hopefully get them on the path towards financial freedom.
This would truly be the gift that keeps on giving!
Dave Ramsey also has many Financial Peace University classes around the nation that are hosted by churches, businesses and other organizations. It’s a 13 week class to help you get started. You can search for locations on his website. ( http://www.daveramsey.com/fpu/locate-class/ )
Another thing to consider might be hiring a finance coach for them. Some people just aren’t cut out for the self help route. There are many of us out there trying to help people get on the road to financial peace. Search for finance coach on the web or check out my site at http://www.currentfinances.com