Spend Less on Gifts in 2010 (Image courtesy of MarcinMoga)
Let’s face it — we can’t all be like Oprah, handing out hundreds of cashmere sweaters, diamond bracelets or spa getaways to our friends. While it would be fun to give extravagantly and not be forced to think about our credit card debt or how we’re going to pay for our child’s college tuition, it’s just not realistic for most of us. And if you’ve resolved to save money in 2010, your gift giving budget can be a good place to do it. Here are some tips for spending less on gifts.
Plan Ahead
There’s no quicker way to mess up your gift giving budget than to wait until the last minute. In an attempt to find the perfect gift you’ll likely end up spending way more than you intended. Pick up a handy birthday book like this one from Barnes and Noble that will help you remember important dates year-after-year. Take a moment to review it before the start of each month. Make a list of the gifts you need to pick up so you have plenty of time to shop for the best item at the best price.
Set a Budget
Do you always make a budget when buying gifts? If your answer is no, then you should be. Consider factors like the relationship you have with the recipient and the occasion you’re celebrating. Once you set your budget stick to it!
Research
If you’ve got a gift in mind, start researching it in order to find the best price. Use sites like PriceGrabber.com or DealTime.com to search for specific products and find out which retailer is offering the lowest price. You’ll also want to check out the shopping portal Ebates.com to see if you can earn any cash back on you purchase. It’s free to join and easy to use.
Enter Giveaways
Bloggers are always giving away great gifts. Throw your name into the hat and you could win items that would make great gifts throughout the year without spending any money. Be sure to check out the Giveaways page right here at 1HappyCorner.com.
Save on the Card
Another way to spend less on gifts is by spending less on the greeting card. Invest in a variety pack of assorted greeting cards like this one at PaperCards.com. Rather than forking over three or four dollars on a card, you’ll spend just $.62 a card. In all that’s a savings of at least $57 on cards alone! With savings like that you’ll be well on your way to achieving your resolution of spending less on gifts in 2010.
