Just another reason to ditch credit cards! For me, credit cards give power to my impulsive buying habits. I've cut up one of my credit cards and retained just one with a 15,000 pesos ($300) credit limit.
When I was a teen my favorite gifts were the ones that showed the adults in my life actually listened to me. Receiving a CD from a band I had been talking about meant a lot more to me than a gift card to a record store.
Even if the gift missed the mark (wasn't my style), if the person tried it was still really nice. If we all just give each other gift cards or cash doesn't gift giving just turn into the continual transferring of funds back and forth?
Same exact thing happened to me.
I have a long history of UTI's so I knew just what I had but I had just moved to the area so no pcp yet. Went to urgent care, peed in a cup, saw the NP and was out of there in 45 min.
Got a bill for Lab and Urgent Care for $600. Just yesterday I got a bill from the doctor at the urgent care!!!! So I got charged $250 just to be in the Urgent Care and then billed seperately for the doctor telling me I had white blood cells in my specimen.
Total for 45 min visit: $991. My insurance covered minimal and I have to pay approx $600 of it.
I am livid.
You just can't go wrong with a gift card. Just make sure it's somewhere they like to shop. If you get your seen a gift card, there's no possibility of buying something they don't like. Gift cards are very thoughtful if you know where the person likes to shop.
I'm interested to see the other suggestions for this... for inexpensive gifts, I've gone with Bath & Body works large candles ($10 each on sale)~ both boys & girls seem to like these and my sons always ask for them. For girls, any new products from Bath & Body Works go over well. I've also done gift cards to favorite clothing stores~ Express, Forever 21, Victoria's Secret. Gift cards for Smoothie King & Starbucks have seemed popular. It helps if you know what they like & where they shop...
I actually have noticed the reverse trend in my spending habits. I have completely sworn off cash. Swiping my credit or debit card forces me to be accountable for my purchases later, whereas once the cash is gone, it's gone. I used to start the week with cash in my wallet and at the end of the week, I couldn't tell you where it went. Once the cash is no longer on my account, I don't think about spending it. Having my spending show up on my account statement forces me to think about what I'm spending, and whether I'll regret spending the money on something unnecessary later when I'm forced to see my balance. Of course, a crucial element is that I do review my transactions periodically (even easier since I started using mint.com) to identify where my money is going and how I can possibly decrease my outgo.
The best gifts for the teens that I know or are in my family would be: iTunes Gift Cards, Visa Gift Cards, for the females- gift cards to their favorite stores, for our driving teens - gas gift cards, gift cards to their favorite eat out places, and always Target gift cards since you can buy just about anything there these days.
Just another reason to ditch credit cards! For me, credit cards give power to my impulsive buying habits. I've cut up one of my credit cards and retained just one with a 15,000 pesos ($300) credit limit.
Gift Cards work best, I think.
Ipod touch. I gave two to teens and they said it was the best gift ever and use it daily.
I think gift cards or money are the best gifts so they can decide what they want.
Condoms for guys, birth control pills for girls.
Money creatively wrapped in something unusual--like stuffed in the bottom of a pair of socks!
When I was a teen my favorite gifts were the ones that showed the adults in my life actually listened to me. Receiving a CD from a band I had been talking about meant a lot more to me than a gift card to a record store.
Even if the gift missed the mark (wasn't my style), if the person tried it was still really nice. If we all just give each other gift cards or cash doesn't gift giving just turn into the continual transferring of funds back and forth?
Best gift for a teenager would be a gift card to Amazon. They'll have plenty of things to choose from!
Same exact thing happened to me.
I have a long history of UTI's so I knew just what I had but I had just moved to the area so no pcp yet. Went to urgent care, peed in a cup, saw the NP and was out of there in 45 min.
Got a bill for Lab and Urgent Care for $600. Just yesterday I got a bill from the doctor at the urgent care!!!! So I got charged $250 just to be in the Urgent Care and then billed seperately for the doctor telling me I had white blood cells in my specimen.
Total for 45 min visit: $991. My insurance covered minimal and I have to pay approx $600 of it.
I am livid.
Gifts cards, magazine subscriptions, and fun lessons (music, surfing, dance, rock climbing, etc.).
iTunes cards are a great solution for teens. You can frequently get great deals before the holiday season starts, too!
Cash or gift cards to their favorite store
My library has audio books that can be checked out online. Great article. I featured it on the Frugal News Review podcast episode 15.
You just can't go wrong with a gift card. Just make sure it's somewhere they like to shop. If you get your seen a gift card, there's no possibility of buying something they don't like. Gift cards are very thoughtful if you know where the person likes to shop.
I'm interested to see the other suggestions for this... for inexpensive gifts, I've gone with Bath & Body works large candles ($10 each on sale)~ both boys & girls seem to like these and my sons always ask for them. For girls, any new products from Bath & Body Works go over well. I've also done gift cards to favorite clothing stores~ Express, Forever 21, Victoria's Secret. Gift cards for Smoothie King & Starbucks have seemed popular. It helps if you know what they like & where they shop...
I think gift cards make the best - that way they can get what they really want and need.
magazine subscriptions!
I agree with the gift cards. Teens like to make their own choices.
I actually have noticed the reverse trend in my spending habits. I have completely sworn off cash. Swiping my credit or debit card forces me to be accountable for my purchases later, whereas once the cash is gone, it's gone. I used to start the week with cash in my wallet and at the end of the week, I couldn't tell you where it went. Once the cash is no longer on my account, I don't think about spending it. Having my spending show up on my account statement forces me to think about what I'm spending, and whether I'll regret spending the money on something unnecessary later when I'm forced to see my balance. Of course, a crucial element is that I do review my transactions periodically (even easier since I started using mint.com) to identify where my money is going and how I can possibly decrease my outgo.
We did well with our niece when we bought her texting gloves. Everyone wanted to know where she got them. http://fairtradetrends.com/tag/texting-gloves/
The best gifts for the teens that I know or are in my family would be: iTunes Gift Cards, Visa Gift Cards, for the females- gift cards to their favorite stores, for our driving teens - gas gift cards, gift cards to their favorite eat out places, and always Target gift cards since you can buy just about anything there these days.
Cash was always my preference so I can go buy what I want.
Gift cards also worked but they are more restrictive to where you can shop.
Definately gift cards or money. iTunes gift cards are great. But i think most kids just want the money...
I like to give teens iTunes cards, or a gift card for a video game store. I can be surecthe cards will be used.
Trying to figure out what a teenage wants is impossible. Cash is king.