Gift cards are great, as long as you know the teen shops at that store. If you're not sure, a better option would be a prepaid Visa card which can be spent on anything...or cash!
You can't go wrong with gift cards. I prefer gifts of experiences, rather than just a basic mall gift card. Depending on your budget, you can give them all types of experiences. Movie theaters, fast food restaurants, and local attractions (roller rinks, ice skating, arcades, mini golf, local ski areas, local water parks, etc.) are always a winner. Last year, I took all of the teenagers I had to buy gifts for to a local glass blowing shop, where they each got to blow their own glass Christmas ornament. If you think outside the box, you can find a lot of things. I've also made things for them as gifts. I sew, so I have made quillows that they can keep in their cars, and a tee shirt quilt for a niece who was going away to college, and everyone loved them. At Christmas time, I often just fill a stocking with little trinkets I've purchased during the year as well as some candy, topped off with a gift card.
I always like gift cards or money. Teenagers are too picky nowadays. Most will accept a gift graciously and never exchange it which is then a big waste of your money. I say the safest is a gift card to one of their favorite stores or cash to spend any way they like. And if they have parents like me, they'll have to put some away in a savings account.
I personally think that gift cards, gift cards, and gift cards are the way to go!! They are getting older, they know what they like (and I certainly don't!) and they love to have fun shopping by themselves or with their friends. Also helping them to shop within their "means" if they have a limited amount on their gift card.
There are a handful of rewards cards that partner up with other businesses so that you can better take advantage of the points you earn. But you still have to do the research as many don't transfer 1:1. There are some good options where you can transfer your miles into hotel stays or vice versa. You just have to keep your eyes open for the deals.
I think in the long run, pursuing dreams instead of a 'career' will yield more in the financial department anyway. You might spin your financial wheels for a little bit, but passion for what you are doing will make your dreams something other people will end up paying you loads and loads of cash for. Good luck to you, but don't worry, you won't need it!
Acyclovir pills work wonders for me. I take a 200mg pill every other day or so - sometimes daily when I'm feeling tired and/or stressed out. I used to get cold sores 2-3 times a year, but since taking the pills, I've only had one very minor outbreak in the past 2 years. In fact, it was the smallest outbreak I've ever had. I didn't even have to take a day off from work because it was barely noticeable and was completely healed in just a few days. This has never ever happened to me in the life. Usually my outbreaks last 1-2 weeks. You need a prescription for it tho.
Americans are brainwashed to the point where they take violent offense to the idea of NOT being a corporate slave and NOT putting the corporations interests ahead of their own.
Even though I do much of this stuff they still won't fire me! Argh!
I so agree wth your statement of "peace of mind is more important than moey or what money can buy"
I too had to retire early because of health reasons and am finally (after 7 years) coming to grips about staying home and getting paid to do so. Life is good!
The only thing better than free is getting cash back for things you already do. You can get cash back at several of the stores you visit without a reward card. Ebates.com will give you cash back for shopping at stores through their site. Most of the stores you wil be shopping at anyway. This is a great to time sign up for it with Black Friday being right around the corner.
Unless you know what the child's interests are and what they already own, you're better off sticking with the tried and true...cash. For younger children your gift could be coins inside a new piggy bank.
One of the few places that I have appreciated since I was 5 years old is the public library. Its richness and calmness are qualities that I have always taken for granted, but I am always surprised by how few people appreciate this wonderful resource!
I asked my kids what were their fav. gifts growing up and this is what they replied;
"I loved my new kids cookbook with your coupons for 6 cooking lessons inside!"
"I loved the new pocketknife and gift certificate to go camping...just us alone"
"I loved the HUGE BOX of legos (the box was over 3 ft by 3 ft) you bought at a yard sale and then you gave it to me for no special reason...i played & played with those"
"I loved my 1st diamond necklace (It was a small charm I put on a chain)when i turned 16 along with the letter you wrote on how special I was in your life"
My all time favorite gift was the box of handmade barbie clothes my grandmother made for me!
My favorite consignment store has layaway. I use this to "purchase" big ticket items with trade credit.
Here's what I do, I wait until my favorite item goes on sale, so it's already discounted before I ad it to layaway. If it's something that I think will sell quickly, I ask the store owner to call the consigner and ask what "their best price" is.
Since I usually trade in my used clothes to acquire new clothes, instead of taking cash for the clothes I bring in, I have all my sales credits, credited toward my layaway items.
While this sometimes takes longer than if I made regular cash payments to get something out of hock, I'm not out any actual money. The currency exchange is old clothes for old clothes. Also, store credit is always a bigger percentage than what you get for trading clothes for cash, so you get more bang for your trade in.
Not every consignment store will be cool with this arrangement, but it never hurts to ask right?
Great article, but the subtext of any credit card rewards program is to encourage habitual use (and tempt users with improper/irresponsible use of credit). After all, these companies make more money when consumers can't pay their balances in full each month. If you can enjoy all the rewards and not fall victim to vices, all the better!
My home definitely needs a fall cleaning. I've greatly reduced the amount of time I spend cleaning by replacing a few items that were dust traps. Replacing picture frames with intricate designs saved me a boatload of time.
Things that look cool, unfortunately, often are the hardest to clean. I'm a neat freak by nature and I absolutely hate dust - so the things that collect dust had to go!
Love getting free samples of perfume! Not only do they last for a while, they allow you a variety of different scents to choose from without having to buy an incredibly expensive full size bottle. Never knew kids ate for free all day on Tuesdays at Friendly's. Cool!
Gift cards are great, as long as you know the teen shops at that store. If you're not sure, a better option would be a prepaid Visa card which can be spent on anything...or cash!
iTunes gift cards. Everyone uses em.
You can't go wrong with gift cards. I prefer gifts of experiences, rather than just a basic mall gift card. Depending on your budget, you can give them all types of experiences. Movie theaters, fast food restaurants, and local attractions (roller rinks, ice skating, arcades, mini golf, local ski areas, local water parks, etc.) are always a winner. Last year, I took all of the teenagers I had to buy gifts for to a local glass blowing shop, where they each got to blow their own glass Christmas ornament. If you think outside the box, you can find a lot of things. I've also made things for them as gifts. I sew, so I have made quillows that they can keep in their cars, and a tee shirt quilt for a niece who was going away to college, and everyone loved them. At Christmas time, I often just fill a stocking with little trinkets I've purchased during the year as well as some candy, topped off with a gift card.
I always like gift cards or money. Teenagers are too picky nowadays. Most will accept a gift graciously and never exchange it which is then a big waste of your money. I say the safest is a gift card to one of their favorite stores or cash to spend any way they like. And if they have parents like me, they'll have to put some away in a savings account.
I personally think that gift cards, gift cards, and gift cards are the way to go!! They are getting older, they know what they like (and I certainly don't!) and they love to have fun shopping by themselves or with their friends. Also helping them to shop within their "means" if they have a limited amount on their gift card.
This is so true! Paying in cash keeps the pain of paying immediate. It actually feels like it is costing us more.
There are a handful of rewards cards that partner up with other businesses so that you can better take advantage of the points you earn. But you still have to do the research as many don't transfer 1:1. There are some good options where you can transfer your miles into hotel stays or vice versa. You just have to keep your eyes open for the deals.
I think in the long run, pursuing dreams instead of a 'career' will yield more in the financial department anyway. You might spin your financial wheels for a little bit, but passion for what you are doing will make your dreams something other people will end up paying you loads and loads of cash for. Good luck to you, but don't worry, you won't need it!
Acyclovir pills work wonders for me. I take a 200mg pill every other day or so - sometimes daily when I'm feeling tired and/or stressed out. I used to get cold sores 2-3 times a year, but since taking the pills, I've only had one very minor outbreak in the past 2 years. In fact, it was the smallest outbreak I've ever had. I didn't even have to take a day off from work because it was barely noticeable and was completely healed in just a few days. This has never ever happened to me in the life. Usually my outbreaks last 1-2 weeks. You need a prescription for it tho.
Wow!! All the frugal protein sources listed was a complete shock to me because I absolutely had no idea. Great read!!
Thank you for this post, it gave me ideas for my first ever interview. I hope you can also write some tips for fresh graduates :))
Great article, covered it all.
Americans are brainwashed to the point where they take violent offense to the idea of NOT being a corporate slave and NOT putting the corporations interests ahead of their own.
Even though I do much of this stuff they still won't fire me! Argh!
Who cares about working?
I so agree wth your statement of "peace of mind is more important than moey or what money can buy"
I too had to retire early because of health reasons and am finally (after 7 years) coming to grips about staying home and getting paid to do so. Life is good!
Books because books can let you travel in the comfort of your own home.
The only thing better than free is getting cash back for things you already do. You can get cash back at several of the stores you visit without a reward card. Ebates.com will give you cash back for shopping at stores through their site. Most of the stores you wil be shopping at anyway. This is a great to time sign up for it with Black Friday being right around the corner.
I've been a cold sore sufferer since the beginning of time and your advice is spot on. Entertaining, too.
Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge and experience.
Unless you know what the child's interests are and what they already own, you're better off sticking with the tried and true...cash. For younger children your gift could be coins inside a new piggy bank.
One of the few places that I have appreciated since I was 5 years old is the public library. Its richness and calmness are qualities that I have always taken for granted, but I am always surprised by how few people appreciate this wonderful resource!
http://booksnlibraries.wordpress.com/2012/09/15/why-i-love-libraries-so-...
I asked my kids what were their fav. gifts growing up and this is what they replied;
"I loved my new kids cookbook with your coupons for 6 cooking lessons inside!"
"I loved the new pocketknife and gift certificate to go camping...just us alone"
"I loved the HUGE BOX of legos (the box was over 3 ft by 3 ft) you bought at a yard sale and then you gave it to me for no special reason...i played & played with those"
"I loved my 1st diamond necklace (It was a small charm I put on a chain)when i turned 16 along with the letter you wrote on how special I was in your life"
My all time favorite gift was the box of handmade barbie clothes my grandmother made for me!
Eight of the men, of course, consume 6% of the beer. The last man, poor creature, consumes 40% of the beer.
My favorite consignment store has layaway. I use this to "purchase" big ticket items with trade credit.
Here's what I do, I wait until my favorite item goes on sale, so it's already discounted before I ad it to layaway. If it's something that I think will sell quickly, I ask the store owner to call the consigner and ask what "their best price" is.
Since I usually trade in my used clothes to acquire new clothes, instead of taking cash for the clothes I bring in, I have all my sales credits, credited toward my layaway items.
While this sometimes takes longer than if I made regular cash payments to get something out of hock, I'm not out any actual money. The currency exchange is old clothes for old clothes. Also, store credit is always a bigger percentage than what you get for trading clothes for cash, so you get more bang for your trade in.
Not every consignment store will be cool with this arrangement, but it never hurts to ask right?
Great article, but the subtext of any credit card rewards program is to encourage habitual use (and tempt users with improper/irresponsible use of credit). After all, these companies make more money when consumers can't pay their balances in full each month. If you can enjoy all the rewards and not fall victim to vices, all the better!
I'm a big fan of using my local library for books and movies -- can't beat free! Thanks for the article.
My home definitely needs a fall cleaning. I've greatly reduced the amount of time I spend cleaning by replacing a few items that were dust traps. Replacing picture frames with intricate designs saved me a boatload of time.
Things that look cool, unfortunately, often are the hardest to clean. I'm a neat freak by nature and I absolutely hate dust - so the things that collect dust had to go!
Love getting free samples of perfume! Not only do they last for a while, they allow you a variety of different scents to choose from without having to buy an incredibly expensive full size bottle. Never knew kids ate for free all day on Tuesdays at Friendly's. Cool!