Depends, if the gift was selected with a little care, then yes. I once received a shopping mall gift card, and there wasn't any store in that particular mall I was excited about.
Why do you think people continue to spend money on junk if they are already in a lot of credit card debt?
Isn't this completely irrational? Or, is it completely rational in the fact that b/c people know they can handle their debt, or have it forgiven, people continue to spend more?
Keigu,
Financial Samurai
"Slicing Through Money's Mysteries"
I like getting gift cards, but often I do end up using it to buy gifts for other people.
This year, I made a wishlist on amazon.com and etsy.com, so people know what I want. I have things ranging from $10 to $100. Also, people can get a sense of what I like to receive. I encourage all my friends to do the same, so I know what they want.
My parents are older now and really have everything they need. I buy them gift cards to restaurants as they enjoy going out to dinner, but don't always spend the money on this pleasure.
Wait, did anyone else realize that this article was written by Kathryn 'KATZ'. Coincidence? I think not! Meow meow. Has anyone ever tried brushing a cats teeth? Freaking impossible.
...are you aware that poor people probably don't have access to a computer? so really you are just writing this to judge poor peoples lifestyle-which i'm guessing you know nothing of
I wanted to thank you for your comment did sort of save my life.
I had been stuck since 5-6 years ago and there was just this mental knot in my mind with which I had been struggling since I entered the university studying a subject I was not really interested in.
I felt the same as guest1 after I finished reading the article. But later, your comment by the aid of the brain storming and quickly noting the first impression on each item enlisted, enlightened my mind and solved this chronic problem I was suffering from for ages.
I highly recommend www.bigwardobe.com. It's the internets no. 1 fashion swap site with more listed items than all of the above put together. Don't understand why it's not mentioned... V odd?!
Love them! As a teacher, gift cards are a welcome surprise. Though I do enjoy the homemade treats like peanut brittle, who wouldn't, I have a lifetime supply of perfume and candles. In this economy, I have used every gift card such as those from Barnes and Noble, Target, and ice cream stores. I also received one from Hobby Lobby . . . I can always find something. It is a flexible, useful gift. Even a small amount such as $5 are greatly appreciated.
It was a great article, Linsey! Thank you for taking the chance and submitting it to the carnival. As you know, it was one of only 10 selected - and there were 117 submitted for consideration! :-)
Bing Travel's Fareologist, Joel Grus, has updated the forecast for 2009 holiday travel. He recommends if you’re thinking of flying somewhere for Thanksgiving, now’s the time to get shopping! Right now, on average, fares are almost 10% above where they were back in August when we first published our Holiday Travel forecast. For the latest from Joel, check out today's blog post:
@Zen - I too, was impressed with the first book. It is well put together, and contains some really solid information. (Of course, it is twice the price of the other books too...)
@Kim Mango - Chris Guillebeau travels a lot, but he lives a more "conventional" life than the other two authors in the realm of having a travel lifestyle. The other two authors live on the road pretty much permanently; Chris simply takes trips (dare I say "vacations") to travel.
I love to get gift cards myself and have resorted to gift cards for the younger generation in my family. Many times I have bought a gift only to hear "sighs" and then "Thank you" that was not very heart felt. I would rather give the gift card and get a resounding "Oh Thank you" and a great big hug.
I personally like to recieve a gift card as a gift. When I get a gift card I am able to buy something I need or want. I do not tend to use them on family members or something for my family. I know that it is a treat for myself. I like to buy gift cards for others to, that way I know that they can get something they want, instead of me buying them something that they really don't like and they pretend to love it. To me gift cards are the way to go. People do not have to pretend that they like what you got them, they always seem to be very please when they recieve the gift card.
I'm so intrigued by these authors' lifestyles! I've decided after 15 years in corporate America to shift to doing something location independent. I'm not sure that I need to travel as extensively as these authors though.
I'm trying to create a life by writing and consulting. I've worked long enough to know that the conventional lifestyle simply isn't my gig.
I look forward to hearing from others who have read this post and who are living this lifestyle! Taking the leap of faith that I'll make enough money to still have some fun is important.
I know a few people in debt as well. In most cases, I don't feel that they are taking their debt situation far enough...
One thing I did not see mentioned: Cut back on everything!
1. No more cable, heck, no more TV. Unplug it from the wall or sell it, if you must!
2. Get rid of your second car, or even your first one, if you can.
3. Don't eat out. Ever. Lunches will get boring but there's nothing wrong with PB&J or turkey sandwiches everyday for lunch. A soup or stew for dinner is cheap and is a must if you have large amounts of debt.
This is just 3 ideas, among the hundreds/thousands I've seen off the Internet. The people I know who are in debt are not doing the above things.
I personally love getting and giving gift cards. I am extremely too picky and I like practical gifts not just stuff that will take up more room and make more clutter. Give me a gift card so I can buy what I need, not just something that won't be used.
Think long and hard before consolidating your loans because sometimes it's easier to divide and conquer. Call all your creditors to see if they'll lower interest rates or even make a deal with you if you really can't pay the amount you owe. Of course, you can do this when dealing with one big creditor, too, but you might have better luck if you have more creditors.
I feel that gift cards are a bit thoughtless. They are an easy out when you are unable to think of a gift for someone.
I know some people who adore and prefer receiving gift cards, however, because they get to buy exactly what they want.
Depends, if the gift was selected with a little care, then yes. I once received a shopping mall gift card, and there wasn't any store in that particular mall I was excited about.
Why do you think people continue to spend money on junk if they are already in a lot of credit card debt?
Isn't this completely irrational? Or, is it completely rational in the fact that b/c people know they can handle their debt, or have it forgiven, people continue to spend more?
Keigu,
Financial Samurai
"Slicing Through Money's Mysteries"
I like getting gift cards, but often I do end up using it to buy gifts for other people.
This year, I made a wishlist on amazon.com and etsy.com, so people know what I want. I have things ranging from $10 to $100. Also, people can get a sense of what I like to receive. I encourage all my friends to do the same, so I know what they want.
I used to have Slickdeals as my home page, but was spending too much money on stuff, that although nice to have, I didn't need!
Now, I am able to stay on budget by avoiding temptation.
My parents are older now and really have everything they need. I buy them gift cards to restaurants as they enjoy going out to dinner, but don't always spend the money on this pleasure.
Wait, did anyone else realize that this article was written by Kathryn 'KATZ'. Coincidence? I think not! Meow meow. Has anyone ever tried brushing a cats teeth? Freaking impossible.
...are you aware that poor people probably don't have access to a computer? so really you are just writing this to judge poor peoples lifestyle-which i'm guessing you know nothing of
Thank you Sara.
Thank you guest no. 17
Thank you all...
I wanted to thank you for your comment did sort of save my life.
I had been stuck since 5-6 years ago and there was just this mental knot in my mind with which I had been struggling since I entered the university studying a subject I was not really interested in.
I felt the same as guest1 after I finished reading the article. But later, your comment by the aid of the brain storming and quickly noting the first impression on each item enlisted, enlightened my mind and solved this chronic problem I was suffering from for ages.
THANK YOU
Gift cards are like cash, only not quite as good. Especially scary this Christmas as stores teetered on the edge of oblivion.
I highly recommend www.bigwardobe.com. It's the internets no. 1 fashion swap site with more listed items than all of the above put together. Don't understand why it's not mentioned... V odd?!
Love them! As a teacher, gift cards are a welcome surprise. Though I do enjoy the homemade treats like peanut brittle, who wouldn't, I have a lifetime supply of perfume and candles. In this economy, I have used every gift card such as those from Barnes and Noble, Target, and ice cream stores. I also received one from Hobby Lobby . . . I can always find something. It is a flexible, useful gift. Even a small amount such as $5 are greatly appreciated.
It was a great article, Linsey! Thank you for taking the chance and submitting it to the carnival. As you know, it was one of only 10 selected - and there were 117 submitted for consideration! :-)
All the best,
Len
Bing Travel's Fareologist, Joel Grus, has updated the forecast for 2009 holiday travel. He recommends if you’re thinking of flying somewhere for Thanksgiving, now’s the time to get shopping! Right now, on average, fares are almost 10% above where they were back in August when we first published our Holiday Travel forecast. For the latest from Joel, check out today's blog post:
http://www.bing.com/community/blogs/travel/archive/2009/10/14/holiday-fo...
Happy Travels,
Kristin, Bing Travel
@Zen - I too, was impressed with the first book. It is well put together, and contains some really solid information. (Of course, it is twice the price of the other books too...)
@Kim Mango - Chris Guillebeau travels a lot, but he lives a more "conventional" life than the other two authors in the realm of having a travel lifestyle. The other two authors live on the road pretty much permanently; Chris simply takes trips (dare I say "vacations") to travel.
I love to get gift cards myself and have resorted to gift cards for the younger generation in my family. Many times I have bought a gift only to hear "sighs" and then "Thank you" that was not very heart felt. I would rather give the gift card and get a resounding "Oh Thank you" and a great big hug.
I personally like to recieve a gift card as a gift. When I get a gift card I am able to buy something I need or want. I do not tend to use them on family members or something for my family. I know that it is a treat for myself. I like to buy gift cards for others to, that way I know that they can get something they want, instead of me buying them something that they really don't like and they pretend to love it. To me gift cards are the way to go. People do not have to pretend that they like what you got them, they always seem to be very please when they recieve the gift card.
I'm so intrigued by these authors' lifestyles! I've decided after 15 years in corporate America to shift to doing something location independent. I'm not sure that I need to travel as extensively as these authors though.
I'm trying to create a life by writing and consulting. I've worked long enough to know that the conventional lifestyle simply isn't my gig.
I look forward to hearing from others who have read this post and who are living this lifestyle! Taking the leap of faith that I'll make enough money to still have some fun is important.
All my best,
Kim
I know a few people in debt as well. In most cases, I don't feel that they are taking their debt situation far enough...
One thing I did not see mentioned: Cut back on everything!
1. No more cable, heck, no more TV. Unplug it from the wall or sell it, if you must!
2. Get rid of your second car, or even your first one, if you can.
3. Don't eat out. Ever. Lunches will get boring but there's nothing wrong with PB&J or turkey sandwiches everyday for lunch. A soup or stew for dinner is cheap and is a must if you have large amounts of debt.
This is just 3 ideas, among the hundreds/thousands I've seen off the Internet. The people I know who are in debt are not doing the above things.
I personally love getting and giving gift cards. I am extremely too picky and I like practical gifts not just stuff that will take up more room and make more clutter. Give me a gift card so I can buy what I need, not just something that won't be used.
Absolutely! Gift cards are awesome. I love receiving them as gifts and usually get positive responses when gifting them to others. Great post! Thanks!
Think long and hard before consolidating your loans because sometimes it's easier to divide and conquer. Call all your creditors to see if they'll lower interest rates or even make a deal with you if you really can't pay the amount you owe. Of course, you can do this when dealing with one big creditor, too, but you might have better luck if you have more creditors.
Make your family come to you for once.
There are other interesting overindebtedness correlations, too, which I plan to address soon.
Thanks, Lindsey, for sharing the conversation with your readers!