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How to Save Money on Gifts – FatWallet.com

Jul 132011

The Internet offers a wide range of opportunities to save money on gifts with a multitude of websites geared towards shoppers looking for deals, discounts, clearances, and super sales. FatWallet.com is a well-rounded online resource that makes it easy to find the bargains you seek.

Today’s Best Deals

FatWallet.com has a section called Today’s Best Deals, which offers customer-selected leads on the best online deals and coupons. The bargains range from flat-screen televisions to clearance sales at your favorite clothing stores. Some deals are Buy 1, Get 1 free offers. Many selections offer low or free shipping. FatWallet.com also makes it easier to gauge how much money you will save because they list the original prices for the items. An example of what you may find is a Samsung laptop for $599.00 + $4.99 shipping (originally priced at $849.00).

Save with Store Coupons

With stores such as Disney, Sony, Barnes & Noble, and Finish Line, FatWallet.com posts the coupons that can help you save money on gifts. A lot of popular coupons in this section provide discounts on electronics, such as flat-screen televisions, computer monitors, and laptops.

Hot Deal Forum

With tips on how to save money on brand name products, this forum provides additional details on some of the offers found in Today’s Best Deals, as well as other advertised sales. Here, you can communicate with someone who has dealt with a specific company before, purchased the same deal, or can give helpful insight on a particular product.

Cash Back Opportunities

If you are interested in receiving cash back on your online purchases, FatWallet.com offers commission opportunities that go into your own account. The more gifts you purchase through their cash back store links, the more money you stand to get back. There are hundreds of stores that offer cash back savings, such as Lenovo, Sears, Macy’s, and FTD.com.

Resolutions for 2010: How to Spend Less on Gifts

Jan 072010

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.

How to Make a Gift Seem More Expensive Than It Is

Mar 262009

Make Your Gift Seem More Expensive. photo courtesy of JillClardy

We’re all feeling the pinch these days. But just because our gift giving budget may be reduced, that doesn’t mean we can’t keep giving fabulous gifts. In fact, our friends, family and co-workers may need those gifts more than ever now! No one wants their gift to come across as cheap. But even if you don’t want to spend much, you can still make your gift seem more expensive than it is. Here’s how.

Shop Local

Anything that comes from an artsy shop or little boutique automatically seems fancier than if the gift were purchased at a mega-store that every town has. And your local shops are sure to have sale items, too, just like the big chains. Plus, here’s an extra bonus– by shopping in those locally owned stores you are supporting local business owners and your local economy.

Wrap Well

A pretty package can make the gift inside seem so much more glam. Pay special attention to the packaging details like the tissue, ribbon and gift tag in order to make your gift seem much more expensive than it is.

Think Ahead

Find a great deal on lovely scarves or cute bracelets? Find out whose birthday is coming up in the next month or two. Waiting until the last minute means you’ll be more desperate and one of two things will end up happening: 1. You’ll spend more than you wanted because you can’t find a good gift or 2. You’ll end up with a gift that doesn’t seem well thought out or appears to be lower quality.

Be Thoughtful

A thoughtful gift always seems to be worth more than a generic one. Pay attention to your friends’ comments about what they need and want. When it comes time to buy the perfect gift you’ll be glad you did!