I prefer to receive cash due to flexibility, although it does come with a feeling that the person must have had absolutely no idea what to get me. They couldn't even decide where I might like a gift card from :)
Prefer cash. Sometimes I don't use a gift card in a timely manner and just re-gift or consider gift card resale sites. It is still a nice gift, just not as versatile. Saved many years of cash gifts for a "rainy day" and they helped pay for grad school! Best gift ever.
I prefer gift cards as long as they're actually for stores that I like. Taking the time to find out what kind of stores and brands I like is a nice gesture for giving a gift. (Cash is certainly easier to use, but it doesn't come across as quite so thoughtful.)
I have some old Nalgene bottles that supposedly have bad plastic as part of them, so they're not supposed to be used with human consumption. Instead, I filled them with sand and use them as weights for working out.
As I say in the post, this is partially a response to John Robb, who argues that frugality is the wrong path, because at the limit you're trying to get by on nothing, which is impossible.
I think he's wrong. As I try to say, frugality is a tool—a tool for matching your resource demand with your resource supply.
Yes, saving your surplus is one way to bridge changes in resource supply, but it's not perfect either. In an environment where the supply just keeps dropping, eventually no amount of savings can bridge the gap. (This is especially true when your savings are also threatened, such as by inflation or panics.)
I'm sorry if it sounded like I was trying to claim that frugality was always a path to disaster—that wasn't my intent. Most frugal paths are great. I'm just warning against that one frugal path—the one where you target the lowest acceptable standard of living and then try to stay there.
"When we learn a new skill — start a job, learn to type, whatever — we usually improve with practice at first — UNTIL we achieve an acceptable level of proficiency — then we go on autopilot.
Does autopilot describe you in the grocery store since about age 22? We're out of Cheerios — in the cart. We need bread — in the cart. Ooh that's on sale — in the cart."
I love applying that concept to how we deal with money. It's really easy to start saving more, but then get in a rut where you don't take it any further.
What about you, readers -- do you have any particular ways that you challenge yourself?
I like this idea a lot -- I've been frustrated with myself because I have a propensity to buy conflicting colors. I have two great navy sweaters, but my main pair of jeans is black. My bright green dress makes me look like an elf when paired with my boots, which are bright red. Planning like this would definitely fix that.
Cash is too easy to throw in my wallet and then spend on, like, diapers or groceries or something. If it's meant to be a gift, gift cards are better because those I'll spend on myself. The key is that it has to be a *good* gift card!
I totally agree -- getting something that the giftee would love, not you, is another hallmark of a great gift-giver.
As for the nifty new things, one of the best gifts my ex-boyfriend ever got me was very small -- a set of those small magnetized balls that you can mold into shapes. He was so stoked to show them to me, AND they were a great gift for me -- I often sit and fidget while thinking about writing I'm working on.
It depends. Sometimes it's nice to have some money that can only be used for getting something new (maybe something fun, or something that I need and have been putting off purchasing). However, sometimes I also really like getting extra cash that I can just throw into savings. :)
Both are great - but it seems like cash gets spent so much quicker, and on things that don't always feel "special." So in that way, gift cards are more fun to have!
I prefer cash - that way I don't have to be limited to certain registers.
I prefer to receive cash due to flexibility, although it does come with a feeling that the person must have had absolutely no idea what to get me. They couldn't even decide where I might like a gift card from :)
Prefer cash. Sometimes I don't use a gift card in a timely manner and just re-gift or consider gift card resale sites. It is still a nice gift, just not as versatile. Saved many years of cash gifts for a "rainy day" and they helped pay for grad school! Best gift ever.
I prefer gift cards as long as they're actually for stores that I like. Taking the time to find out what kind of stores and brands I like is a nice gesture for giving a gift. (Cash is certainly easier to use, but it doesn't come across as quite so thoughtful.)
Great idea. I could see people using those for workouts as well as weights to secure other things outside like a tarp or blanket during a picnic.
This is what I'm doing and it's working pretty well so far. tradingforwedding.blogspot.com
I prefer to receive cash due to its flexibility, but oddly prefer to give gift cards because I think they mean more to the recipient than cash.
I have some old Nalgene bottles that supposedly have bad plastic as part of them, so they're not supposed to be used with human consumption. Instead, I filled them with sand and use them as weights for working out.
Thanks for your thoughtful comments.
As I say in the post, this is partially a response to John Robb, who argues that frugality is the wrong path, because at the limit you're trying to get by on nothing, which is impossible.
I think he's wrong. As I try to say, frugality is a tool—a tool for matching your resource demand with your resource supply.
Yes, saving your surplus is one way to bridge changes in resource supply, but it's not perfect either. In an environment where the supply just keeps dropping, eventually no amount of savings can bridge the gap. (This is especially true when your savings are also threatened, such as by inflation or panics.)
I'm sorry if it sounded like I was trying to claim that frugality was always a path to disaster—that wasn't my intent. Most frugal paths are great. I'm just warning against that one frugal path—the one where you target the lowest acceptable standard of living and then try to stay there.
I prefer cash, but won't turn down a gift card either! It's nice to be remembered when it comes to gifts.
"When we learn a new skill — start a job, learn to type, whatever — we usually improve with practice at first — UNTIL we achieve an acceptable level of proficiency — then we go on autopilot.
Does autopilot describe you in the grocery store since about age 22? We're out of Cheerios — in the cart. We need bread — in the cart. Ooh that's on sale — in the cart."
I love applying that concept to how we deal with money. It's really easy to start saving more, but then get in a rut where you don't take it any further.
What about you, readers -- do you have any particular ways that you challenge yourself?
I like this idea a lot -- I've been frustrated with myself because I have a propensity to buy conflicting colors. I have two great navy sweaters, but my main pair of jeans is black. My bright green dress makes me look like an elf when paired with my boots, which are bright red. Planning like this would definitely fix that.
Cash is too easy to throw in my wallet and then spend on, like, diapers or groceries or something. If it's meant to be a gift, gift cards are better because those I'll spend on myself. The key is that it has to be a *good* gift card!
I totally agree -- getting something that the giftee would love, not you, is another hallmark of a great gift-giver.
As for the nifty new things, one of the best gifts my ex-boyfriend ever got me was very small -- a set of those small magnetized balls that you can mold into shapes. He was so stoked to show them to me, AND they were a great gift for me -- I often sit and fidget while thinking about writing I'm working on.
Cash - definitely. That way I'm not limited on where I spend it (and for those sponsored "cash cards" there is no fee to use it).
I prefer cash!
It depends. Sometimes it's nice to have some money that can only be used for getting something new (maybe something fun, or something that I need and have been putting off purchasing). However, sometimes I also really like getting extra cash that I can just throw into savings. :)
I prefer getting gift cards, and I prefer giving something homemade.
Responded on Twitter. https://twitter.com/#!/1bets1/status/194826694757072896
I liked you and your post on facebook.
I think I have to choose gift card. Although cash is wonderful, I'd probably use it to pay a bill instead of treating myself to something.
Cash. Because maybe my great-aunt and I differ on our ideas of what stores are fun to shop at.
I prefer gift cards.....and VISA ones work everywhere!
Gift card
Both are great - but it seems like cash gets spent so much quicker, and on things that don't always feel "special." So in that way, gift cards are more fun to have!