The best gift would be a contribution to their savings or college account, and then a small tangible item for them if they're still very young, like a book or a toy.
Great list, If you have an extra fifty dollars lying around. The best way to use them is to get yourself something nice or treat yourself. For example the day spa or the wine. Maybe a new pair of shoes. It feels good to treat yourself to a little gift every now and again, i know i do. fifty dollars isn't alot, but it's just enough.
I am terrified of debt! I try to stay away from it as much as possible. I can't avoid the debt I'll be in from my student loans, but I want to keep that as the only debt I'll have to worry about.
I think any gift that gives a child a chance to use his imagination and brain are good. Books, puzzles, legos ,duplos, anything from the Smithsonian collection, craft kits, art supplies, musical instruments etc. Stay away from electronics that just dull the brain and stifle imagination. In my work in school I am dismayed by the inability of children to be creative in any fashion because they have never had any experience at it. They have no patience and can only relate to computer games. People are so concerned about being about being able to afford the latest electronics for their children. What they really need to be concerned about is developing their brain and intelligence.
The costs indicated above more than likely differ depending on where you live and style preference. I live in California and I am VERY frugal although I will pay more for sophistication and quality (not too much more...but more). My property taxes range from $4,200 - $4,600 per year. Some areas have what are called Mello Roos and Special Assessment taxes that can increase your property taxes significantly. My insurance is roughly $2,800 per year, but that is mortgage and home insurance. My window coverings were $1500 which was the lowest estimate I got (and that is for faux wood blinds...compromised). My appliances and upgrades came to about $12K. I haven't landscaped the backyard yet, and I only had one estimate so far which was $8,600...which I think is a bit high for basic landscaping.
So far I've been paying cash for everything because I have refused to open a new line of credit since paying them off years ago.
I'm shopping around for credit cards now with low APR, no annual fee, and some sort of rewards or cash back on purchases to ease up my cash flow until we get settled. I'm a bit nervous though...I've done so good without a credit card for the past 7 years.
We all know the saying that there is nothing free in life but this article reminded me of the great deals we all have the ability to receive. I always like to get the BOGO deals but sometimes the BOGO are not what I like. However, I have to say I went into Payless a month ago and found great deals on two sandals that were BOGO. I was extremely happy with my purchase.
We like to get things that we know each specific child will enjoy as to ensure them playing with/using it. We also hold back a good amount of what we have budgeted for them as they get so much from their grandparents. By doing that we can get them things throughout the year.
I agree with all those who say that the best gift to our children is our time. Quality time together, experiencing new *or* well-loved things / places / people / foods / etc.
Yes! I'm a terrible seamstress, but a good tailor has saved a number of clothing items that otherwise didn't fit me well. It's especially important when you have a figure that doesn't... conform, I guess? ;)
I tried Armour Etch on my very scratched up plastic lenses. It worked perfectly - scratches gone and my vision is clear again (it was like viewing thru a haze before). I'm in Canada and bought it at Michael's for C$21.99 for the 3 oz bottle - very pricey, but well worth having decent vision again. I used the procedure described above, but since I didn't have rubber gloves I used clear plastic sandwich bags to protect my hands. JB
I follow this rule: 1 item you need (clothing, backpack, etc...); 1 item you want (toy, movie, etc...); 1 hobby-based item (sports, avid-reader, crafts); and 1 experience item (museum passes, movie tickets, concert - so long as it is with the parent/s)
Some of the programs are competitive and crowded; for example, the nursing and dental hygiene programs are popular in my area. Some universities now offer accelerated programs for non-traditional students who are retraining.
I like to give gifts that encourage kids to spend time outdoors--slack lines, nature guides, sleds. We all spend way too much time in front of screens.
Great ideas for non-chefs! The easiest one I think is breakfast for dinner, but crock pot recipes are not only incredibly simple, but absolutely delicious. I have made quite a few recently since cooler weather is coming, my favorite so far was a pot roast. It only required a few ingredients so it was inexpensive, and it made my apartment smell heavenly!
I didn't know that people actually thought canceling a credit card could help their credit score. That really doesn't make any sense. Signing up for a credit card simply for the signing bonus seems a littler desperate, and someone who would do that probably isn't very good with their finances and may run the risk of spending money they don't have on the temptation of having that new card.
Ugh, I would never recommend dial-up internet even to my worst enemy. It's inefficient (have to be in one place with a phone line) and ridiculously slow (even if you disable images.)
Another option if you have a smartphone is to tether it if you only need internet access on a computer occasionally.
Also important to consider: if there's a balance transfer fee, make sure you factor that into your cost/benefit calculations. If you're transferring a balance from a 4% APR card to a 0% APR for-one-year card with the idea you'll pay it off over the course of the year, that's great. But if you have to pay 4% off the top to transfer the balance, then you've washed any savings.
For younger children that won't know the difference since they are usually overwhelmed with toys, I would aim for savings bonds or some other aspect of putting $$ away for when they are older. I have always put any birthday or Christmas money in a savings acct for my boys since they get so many toys and don't even notice. For older kids, I think anything that stimulates creativity or physical activity is great, just try to steer clear of the video games, etc.
The best gift would be a contribution to their savings or college account, and then a small tangible item for them if they're still very young, like a book or a toy.
Great article. I featured it on the Frugal News Review podcast episode 14.
Great list, If you have an extra fifty dollars lying around. The best way to use them is to get yourself something nice or treat yourself. For example the day spa or the wine. Maybe a new pair of shoes. It feels good to treat yourself to a little gift every now and again, i know i do. fifty dollars isn't alot, but it's just enough.
I am terrified of debt! I try to stay away from it as much as possible. I can't avoid the debt I'll be in from my student loans, but I want to keep that as the only debt I'll have to worry about.
I think any gift that gives a child a chance to use his imagination and brain are good. Books, puzzles, legos ,duplos, anything from the Smithsonian collection, craft kits, art supplies, musical instruments etc. Stay away from electronics that just dull the brain and stifle imagination. In my work in school I am dismayed by the inability of children to be creative in any fashion because they have never had any experience at it. They have no patience and can only relate to computer games. People are so concerned about being about being able to afford the latest electronics for their children. What they really need to be concerned about is developing their brain and intelligence.
The costs indicated above more than likely differ depending on where you live and style preference. I live in California and I am VERY frugal although I will pay more for sophistication and quality (not too much more...but more). My property taxes range from $4,200 - $4,600 per year. Some areas have what are called Mello Roos and Special Assessment taxes that can increase your property taxes significantly. My insurance is roughly $2,800 per year, but that is mortgage and home insurance. My window coverings were $1500 which was the lowest estimate I got (and that is for faux wood blinds...compromised). My appliances and upgrades came to about $12K. I haven't landscaped the backyard yet, and I only had one estimate so far which was $8,600...which I think is a bit high for basic landscaping.
So far I've been paying cash for everything because I have refused to open a new line of credit since paying them off years ago.
I'm shopping around for credit cards now with low APR, no annual fee, and some sort of rewards or cash back on purchases to ease up my cash flow until we get settled. I'm a bit nervous though...I've done so good without a credit card for the past 7 years.
We all know the saying that there is nothing free in life but this article reminded me of the great deals we all have the ability to receive. I always like to get the BOGO deals but sometimes the BOGO are not what I like. However, I have to say I went into Payless a month ago and found great deals on two sandals that were BOGO. I was extremely happy with my purchase.
Great plant ideas tamnel
We like to get things that we know each specific child will enjoy as to ensure them playing with/using it. We also hold back a good amount of what we have budgeted for them as they get so much from their grandparents. By doing that we can get them things throughout the year.
With Verizon, you can pay a portion of your wireless bill online with the balances on your cards as long as the balance is over $1.00.
I agree with all those who say that the best gift to our children is our time. Quality time together, experiencing new *or* well-loved things / places / people / foods / etc.
Yes! I'm a terrible seamstress, but a good tailor has saved a number of clothing items that otherwise didn't fit me well. It's especially important when you have a figure that doesn't... conform, I guess? ;)
I tried Armour Etch on my very scratched up plastic lenses. It worked perfectly - scratches gone and my vision is clear again (it was like viewing thru a haze before). I'm in Canada and bought it at Michael's for C$21.99 for the 3 oz bottle - very pricey, but well worth having decent vision again. I used the procedure described above, but since I didn't have rubber gloves I used clear plastic sandwich bags to protect my hands. JB
Wrong. You do not need a stockbroker's license to offer a UL policy.
I follow this rule: 1 item you need (clothing, backpack, etc...); 1 item you want (toy, movie, etc...); 1 hobby-based item (sports, avid-reader, crafts); and 1 experience item (museum passes, movie tickets, concert - so long as it is with the parent/s)
Some of the programs are competitive and crowded; for example, the nursing and dental hygiene programs are popular in my area. Some universities now offer accelerated programs for non-traditional students who are retraining.
Thanks for the love!
I like to give gifts that encourage kids to spend time outdoors--slack lines, nature guides, sleds. We all spend way too much time in front of screens.
Great ideas for non-chefs! The easiest one I think is breakfast for dinner, but crock pot recipes are not only incredibly simple, but absolutely delicious. I have made quite a few recently since cooler weather is coming, my favorite so far was a pot roast. It only required a few ingredients so it was inexpensive, and it made my apartment smell heavenly!
Thanks so much for the mention!
I didn't know that people actually thought canceling a credit card could help their credit score. That really doesn't make any sense. Signing up for a credit card simply for the signing bonus seems a littler desperate, and someone who would do that probably isn't very good with their finances and may run the risk of spending money they don't have on the temptation of having that new card.
Ugh, I would never recommend dial-up internet even to my worst enemy. It's inefficient (have to be in one place with a phone line) and ridiculously slow (even if you disable images.)
Another option if you have a smartphone is to tether it if you only need internet access on a computer occasionally.
Also important to consider: if there's a balance transfer fee, make sure you factor that into your cost/benefit calculations. If you're transferring a balance from a 4% APR card to a 0% APR for-one-year card with the idea you'll pay it off over the course of the year, that's great. But if you have to pay 4% off the top to transfer the balance, then you've washed any savings.
For younger children that won't know the difference since they are usually overwhelmed with toys, I would aim for savings bonds or some other aspect of putting $$ away for when they are older. I have always put any birthday or Christmas money in a savings acct for my boys since they get so many toys and don't even notice. For older kids, I think anything that stimulates creativity or physical activity is great, just try to steer clear of the video games, etc.
I think that books are the best gifts for kids