Cash!!! Graduates probably need to update their wardrobe for work, obtain reliable transportation, get housing, etc. Then there are those loans to repay.
I like personal finance books as gifts to new grads. If the grad's situation is semi-dire (e.g., rooming with five other dudes and waiting tables) make it something like "10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget." No, that's not sucking up -- the book shows ways to live inventively and joyously on little to no cash.
If the grad is semi-situated, then make it a book about growing your cash and taking charge of your life.
Honestly, the best gift for a college graduate is not something they can get when they graduate. It is actually something that family can help them earn during their college years. CREDIT! I am not talking about just help getting a little credit card, but if a parent or family member is, buying or planning to buy a vehicle put it in their name...not yours. We all know that credit is critical to starting life after college, how else is someone to buy something when you have no cash. Trust me... I am an expert.
In my area, the farmer's market is only on weekends. So sometimes it's a good time to show up at 5 pm on Sunday (when it closes for the week) to get a good deal on produce because the prices drop really quickly. The people selling the produce want to get rid of their excess fruit/veggies instead of having to hold onto them for the week and losing a profit (and lowering the quality of their food).
I've been working full-time while going to school, so my graduation is different from "most kids", I guess, in that I don't need help looking for a job, don't need money, don't need advice, etc. My parents told my siblings and I that our graduation gift is an international vacation with them. And honestly, that's the best gift I could imagine anyway. I love traveling, and after all that studying, it's especially nice to be able to kick back and relax on vacation.
When I first tried to get out of debt, I tried to do it too quickly. Every extra dollar I found went towards paying off my debt. This worked great the first month. But then the second month, I started to realize that I was running into trouble and didn't have enough for my other expenses. I learned quickly that slowly paying off my debt was the way to go.
When graduating from high school I recommend the book "Where's Mom Now That I Need Her?" It has a lot of sensible and funny advice for those living away from home the first time.
For college graduates I recommend gift cards to either Walmart,Target or the like. These cards can be used to buy everything from the right button down shirt for an interview to the trash cans you need in your new apartment.
I recently gave my younger sister cash, with the instruction to "spend it all in one place." Whether she chose to put it in her IRA, buy a piece of furniture, put it toward a new car, or splurge on a nice pair of shoes, I wanted her to have something significant to show for it.
I've done a variation on your oatmeal bar meal...I called it a "Hot cookie bar" when my kids had (supprised) friends over. It was easy to whip up a Large bowl of hot oatmeal at the last minute with items i had in my pantry & frig. I offered everything from choc-chips to peanutbutter & sprinkles, strawberries etc...for add ins & toppings. This went over GREAT!!! Even the kids who's mom's swore they wouldn't touch oatmeal inhaled it! (Sometimes family will eat foods that are presented with a different/fun name.LOL)
Maybe realtors do get more for their homes, but shouldn't they? A lot of people's homes are dirty, smelly and in poor condition and they just don't want to hear about what they have to do to get the price they want. A realtor knows how to price their home accurately and present it for sale. There's nothing wrong with that.
A Roth IRA.
Cash!!! Graduates probably need to update their wardrobe for work, obtain reliable transportation, get housing, etc. Then there are those loans to repay.
I like personal finance books as gifts to new grads. If the grad's situation is semi-dire (e.g., rooming with five other dudes and waiting tables) make it something like "10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget." No, that's not sucking up -- the book shows ways to live inventively and joyously on little to no cash.
If the grad is semi-situated, then make it a book about growing your cash and taking charge of your life.
I like you on Facebook.
Here's my tweet:
https://twitter.com/#!/hardyryanj/status/202512549508427776
Definitely money. That's what I asked for when I graduated; all the money I received I put towards my student loans.
Honestly, the best gift for a college graduate is not something they can get when they graduate. It is actually something that family can help them earn during their college years. CREDIT! I am not talking about just help getting a little credit card, but if a parent or family member is, buying or planning to buy a vehicle put it in their name...not yours. We all know that credit is critical to starting life after college, how else is someone to buy something when you have no cash. Trust me... I am an expert.
Nick N.
nneveu@dmautoleasing.com
Money, definitely! Or a class ring maybe? :)
In my area, the farmer's market is only on weekends. So sometimes it's a good time to show up at 5 pm on Sunday (when it closes for the week) to get a good deal on produce because the prices drop really quickly. The people selling the produce want to get rid of their excess fruit/veggies instead of having to hold onto them for the week and losing a profit (and lowering the quality of their food).
I like WiseBread on Facebook
I've been working full-time while going to school, so my graduation is different from "most kids", I guess, in that I don't need help looking for a job, don't need money, don't need advice, etc. My parents told my siblings and I that our graduation gift is an international vacation with them. And honestly, that's the best gift I could imagine anyway. I love traveling, and after all that studying, it's especially nice to be able to kick back and relax on vacation.
Awww, shucks.
When I first tried to get out of debt, I tried to do it too quickly. Every extra dollar I found went towards paying off my debt. This worked great the first month. But then the second month, I started to realize that I was running into trouble and didn't have enough for my other expenses. I learned quickly that slowly paying off my debt was the way to go.
As an avid Winnie the Pooh fan I truly appreciate you giving a "Pooh-esque" view on finance.
When graduating from high school I recommend the book "Where's Mom Now That I Need Her?" It has a lot of sensible and funny advice for those living away from home the first time.
For college graduates I recommend gift cards to either Walmart,Target or the like. These cards can be used to buy everything from the right button down shirt for an interview to the trash cans you need in your new apartment.
I recently gave my younger sister cash, with the instruction to "spend it all in one place." Whether she chose to put it in her IRA, buy a piece of furniture, put it toward a new car, or splurge on a nice pair of shoes, I wanted her to have something significant to show for it.
Can the advice, because there are things that people just need to learn from experience - like how to be a successful adult. Instead, give cash!
MONEY, MONEY, MONEY
I've done a variation on your oatmeal bar meal...I called it a "Hot cookie bar" when my kids had (supprised) friends over. It was easy to whip up a Large bowl of hot oatmeal at the last minute with items i had in my pantry & frig. I offered everything from choc-chips to peanutbutter & sprinkles, strawberries etc...for add ins & toppings. This went over GREAT!!! Even the kids who's mom's swore they wouldn't touch oatmeal inhaled it! (Sometimes family will eat foods that are presented with a different/fun name.LOL)
https://twitter.com/#!/missluckybreaks/status/202461036635361281
Liked you on FB!
Best gift for a graduate is a MacBook! It would be the best investment!
The best gift is a a classic, conservative suit. Wear it to interviews, meetings, funerals, weddings, and other functions where appropriate.
Maybe realtors do get more for their homes, but shouldn't they? A lot of people's homes are dirty, smelly and in poor condition and they just don't want to hear about what they have to do to get the price they want. A realtor knows how to price their home accurately and present it for sale. There's nothing wrong with that.
That's great! I love Etsy.