Guest post from Rachael of Thriving on Thrifty
Every month, I designate a specific amount of our budget for various gifts (i.e. birthdays, Christmas, etc.). While I think it’s great that we have the money saved, I decided that we were spending too much of our budget on this particular area.
Therefore, this year I gave myself a challenge that I hope will inspire some of you as well. I cut my monthly budget by 75% and have found other creative ways to come up with the money.
Here is my strategy to cut my gift budget and put more money to other needed areas:
1. Lower the Amount Spent By Shopping Early with Deals.
I actually started shopping for Christmas as soon as last Christmas was over. I already have over half of my Christmas shopping complete and probably spent less than half of what I would have normally spent on these items by shopping clearance items and deals.
2. Use Money-Making Apps and Websites to Earn Gift Cards.
Here are a few that I have been using so far this year to help pay for my gift budget:
- Swagbucks: I have been a member for at least a year but just recently found a way for me to make Swagbucks without spending a lot of time. I downloaded the SBTV app and try to hit my daily goal of 50 swagbucks by watching videos. I also do some Virool videos on the Swagbucks App as they become available and do the daily poll each day.
- PerkTV App: I just recently started using this app. I am able to run continuous videos and earn points which can then be redeemed for various gift cards.
- ChatAbout: I just signed up for this site and really like it so far. It doesn’t take me too much time to reach my daily goal of 55 points by chatting about various topics and taking their daily poll. I have already redeemed twice for a Paypal redemption, and I just got started a couple of weeks ago!
- Viewpoints: This site allows you to review various products in exchange for points. These points can then be redeemed for gift cards.
- ExpoTV: This site offers points in exchange for video reviews. I have redeemed several times off of this site since I started using it last year.
- SavingStar: I use the cash back that I get through shopping with the SavingStar App to cash in for my gift fund.
- Rakuten (formerly Ebates): I use Rakuten when I shop at various stores online to get a percentage of my purchase back. When I get my rebate check each quarter, I plan to put this in my gift fund.
Creatively Use Freebies and Rewards Programs.
Each time I find a freebie deal either online or in the store, I try to think about how I could creatively use these items as presents.
Also, many stores have rewards programs for purchases or occasionally offer free credits. Even if they aren’t huge credits, you can usually shop in the clearance section to find great deals.
How do you stretch your gift budget? I’d love to hear!
Rachael Lachniet is a stay at home mom who enjoys learning ways to save money for her family and tries to share these ideas with others on her blog, Thriving on Thrifty.
Tiff says
For kids-Shop from friends and families. I know of a few kids who take care of their toys and with parents permission I will buy from the kids for very little. This is really helpful because a lot of kids go through phases. One year my niece on my fiance’s side is interested in Shopkins and next year it’s my sister. This is great because some toys are discontinued and have to be bought online if you just start getting into it. My sister loved having toys from season 3 when currently there is only season 5 and 6 available in stores. I just have to get creative with packaging. Also, parents are usually happy to see the toys gone because less clutter.
College aged kids-Gift Baskets. Currently in college and one semester I received a gift basket for Christmas filled with basic necessities. I felt like God shined down on me because I had sacrificed some of my budget for presents (It was my first year, not my wisest choice). You can buy a lot of stuff through coupons that most college kids need. Maybe throw in a movie or book if you want it to feel more special.
Get creative- I have a few friends who love to cook. I go online and download a recipe and then I buy the products they need and package it all together. If you use coupons you can get the cost down. Plus, I tended to put days I was free so they could call me to come help them cook. One of my older roommates is an artist. She needed some money so I commissioned her to do some artwork for me as presents. It was affordable since she is college aged and wanted some extra spending money. Or take advantage of a teenage kid you have who has a knack for art. A lot of people around you have skills that you can take advantage of or even yourself.
Of my whole family I am the most frugal. One year I bought all my siblings their school supplies for very little because I knew where to shop. I use Swagbucks, Ebates and buy partially used gift cards. It may not seem like a lot at first but over time they add up.
Sarah says
I keep my eye out for “discardibles” and make gifts. My 21-year-old grandson was recently cleaning out his closet and getting rid of all those outgrown t-shirts with silly sayings on them that he loved back in high school, but is too old and too big for now. I told him I’d take them to Goodwill for him, but instead stuck them in my closet and am secretly making him a quilt out of them for him for Christmas. I’m using 50% off coupons at the fabric store for the backing and batting. I also snagged the old jeans he was sending to Goodwill and will make a denim car blanket out of them for his 18-year-old sister. I’m using scraps from previous sewing projects to make 4 seasonal table runners for my daughter. I’m making jelly from our home-grown grapes for friends. I will decorate Altoid tins with scraps from my scrapbooking stash and fill the tins with Bible verses or motivational quotes on cards. I got a BIG box of Altoid tins for $5 at a garage sale. I’m using more fabric scraps to make potholders and will attach hand-made recipe cards for some of my specialty dishes with them. I haven’t told anybody that a group I’m involved in gives free Starbucks gift cards at pretty much every meeting, so I save them to tuck one or a few Starbucks $5 gift cards as another free but well-received gift. I made a recipe book of my now-deceased mother’s favorite recipes and printed them up on my computer for my sisters-in-law. I added household tips my mother swore by and silly Momisms she always used…On the page with the recipe for Aunt Mable’s Chocolate Cookies, I put a photo of Aunt Mable. I did it up on my home computer and printer and had them spiral bound at the office supply store for $1 each. I made up a cookbook for my brother-in-law who was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes…I also have Type 2, so I have lots of tried and true recipes that are good for diabetics. I remember how hard it was to find recipes I liked when I was first diagnosed. I made hummingbird feeders out of empty wine bottles from a local restaurant…the feeder tubes were CHEAP online. I think it’s fun to find a re-use for things other people discard, and to see the delight on the receiver’s face when they get a one-of-a-kind gift.
Amy says
We do a gift exchange in our family. Everyone’s name is put in including the dogs :). That way everyone only has to buy one gift. Everyone is always excited to see who they get each year.
Lori says
Love this thread – great ideas! I, too, shop all year for gifts. I take advantage of sales, freebies and thrift stores. I make a lot of gifts. I love this – I think of the person the gift is for while making it! I use swagbucks and My coke rewards…. have gotten many items free. When my son was young and going to birthday parties, I used to stock up on art supplies when the back to school sales were going on. I would then make up a box of paper, markers/crayons, construction paper, glue, etc. – a nice gift for pennies.
Emily says
No one talks about the Shopkick app for smart phones. I get points just by walking in to a store or scanning items. It’s much easier for me than Swagbucks and you can earn gift cards, purses or even a cruise.
Jen Y says
I keep a gift box for two reasons – 1. a box to limit myself. When the box is full I don’t buy more. 2. I take advantage of sales: bath products, jewelry, kitchen, ect , baby sales for new baby gifts, books.
One other thing I do is I thrift shop. I am very picky about things I buy from thrift shops for gifts. But glassware, dishes, serving pieces, ect are very easy to find in thrift stores in mint condition. My best deal was a set of dessert dishes still in the box with the tags on! I was looking for a wedding gift – I’d checked their wedding registry before I shopped to have an idea what they liked. The dessert set was on their registry! So I bought the small serving dishes for $4 & went to BB&B & bought the mathcing serving bowl at full price making it a much nicer gift than I would have been able to give.
Garden decor is another & I have a lot of garden friends who’ve loved my gifts I’ve found for them thrifting.
Heather @ My Mothermode says
Make wish lists for each child, to enable grandparents to see what they really want or need. Then, you can upload the list on keepa.com and receive emails when the price drops below your pre-set buying %. I always make gifts or buy useful gifts for our children (linked info on my name.) When ski bibs went lower than 50% off last spring, keepa.com emailed me and I scored them for less than $12 new for my son!
Heather @ My Mothermode says
And I crochet dish cloths or monogram dish towels for the adults, who are happy to receive a gift both handmade and super useful. Except my mother, who gets handmade jewelry!
Suzanne H says
Sign up for every sample you can get. I use a lot of them for stocking stuffers (making sure it’s something someone will need/want/use). Also, I buy a lot of the free after ECB items on Black Friday @ CVS – more stocking stuffers. As with others, I shop all year long for specials/clearance/discounted items. Also, with the little one, I shop at some excellent consignment sales in my area. He doesn’t care (yet) if toys are used. Lastly, we agreed in our families that adults don’t swap gifts so we only buy for the kids which there aren’t many of in our families.
Nicole says
This is such a great topic for discussion, because you want gifts to be special, and how can you do that when you are on a tight budget?
One thing I do for close friends is consider their love language. For example, my mom LOVES spending time with people. So I may give her a certificate to take her out to coffee two times, and she feels loved because I’m spending time with her.
Other people I know thrive on words of affirmation, so I will make them a necklace/bracelet that affirms a quality I love about them. Or I will write them a long, meaningful note, or laminate a bookmark with a quote that is meaningful to them.
Others thrive on touch, so I will give them a certificate for a “homemade” manicure or pedicure, massage, facial, etc. That is clearly for people I know and really love!
What about those that love gifts? I hype up the gift by creating a scavenger hunt for them to find it or by wrapping it in a creative way (think BIG box for small gift). If you have some $ to splurge, I sometimes will give a person the $ for how old they are, but in $1 bills, and paperclip to each bill one quality that I love about them. If someone is turning 20, they not only receive $20, but also are affirmed about 20 wonderful aspects of their character.
Lastly, for those who value acts of service, I will look for something that they don’t have time to do and just do it. I’ll bring over a meal t o their house. I’ll “steal” their car for a wash and vacuum (you may need an accomplice). You can do both of these at home and thus frugally.
Just my .02. It’s wonderful to be able to lavishly give to others even if it’s not a special occasion. 🙂
Mandy says
What a wonderful idea!!!! I have never thought of this and will surely use this in my gift giving. Thank you!
Cathy says
Wow, your comment is beautiful from beginning to end. Full of lovely, thoughtful ideas. I’m not kidding, I’m printing it out to show my son (17), who I’ve been trying so hard to communicate these same things to for the last few years of birthdays and holidays. I want him to understand that giving a gift to someone is really about showing that person you know them. You pay attention to what they enjoy and appreciate. You’ve said that much better than I’ve managed to do so far, LOL.
Amy F;) says
neat way to look at it 🙂 thanks for sharing!
Kelly says
I love that you thought to use the five love languages for each person’s gift. Something great to think about. I will definately be putting more thought into gifts this Christmas!
Dee Wolters says
A couple of things I have done to save money on gifts:
When the kids were young, I would take pictures or have pictures made and give them to grandparents, etc. No one else can give this gift, and grandparents just love pictures!
I try to make as many gifts as possible. I like to sew, so have made a lot of fabric type gifts over the years. Now I am learning to quilt, so many things are quilted.
Heather Ratliff says
Can you tell me more about PerkTV? I downloaded the app and signed up. It seems like a lot of videos to run to get anything…earning only 4 points for 1-2 videos and having to accumulate 5000 to get $5? Am I missing something? I know every little bit helps, but it seems like my time is better spent on Swagbucks where I only have to accumulate 450 SBs to get $5 (and I can earn more at one time!).
Lisa W says
I used to drink a lot of Diet Coke and would participate in the MyCokeRewards. When I stopped drinking it I talked to friends and had them save their codes for me. I then redeem for gifts….photo blanket for my brother with pictures of his daughter through the years, photo note cards for my mom, etc.
Dee says
My 5 siblings and I usually make things for each other, e.g. my chef brother makes marmalade or chutney. I am a hobby photographer, so I wait until Vistaprint has a great deal and make note cards for everyone from my best shots.
There is only 1 grandchild so far to spoil (one more on the way) . Her favorite present from me so far was a photo book I made for free of her with all the extended family. Since I shoot all the family gatherings, I had loads of photos of everyone with the baby. I made sure to include her dad’s family in the book too. Another year later, I have another set of shots ready to make a new book.
I’m not sure it completely counts as bargain gifts though because the good camera and photography classes set me back quite a bit. 😉
Susan L. @ Full Happy Muffin and Mama says
I make a lot of gifts for my parents, my sister, and my in-laws. It was funny because last Christmas all of us female relatives (including my in-laws) were into Pinterest and my sister and I ended up making the exact same present for everyone (the Dawn Hand Renewal Sugar Scrub). My sister makes scrapbooky gifts (collage pictures of her kids for my parents, mini scrapbooks, etc.). If it’s made with supplies you normally have (I’ve made the brown sugar coconut scrub a lot), it’s really not that expensive. As for my son, he’s really into art supplies now as well as trains (We are looking forward to our second “Thomas” party in a row next month). Just as a previous poster mentioned, he also plays with generic trains. So, whenever I spot a Thomas deal or a train deal, I grab it up.
WilliamB says
For seasonal items, buy them during the post-season sales, e.g., Xmas wrapping starting Dec 26.
To reduce overall costs, try making instead of buying. It’ll (generally) cost you more time but less money.
Liliane says
I subscribe to brads deals. It’s a daily newsletter with a list of deals of the day & previous days. Just as an example, I recently purchased a little girls cream colored fleece hoodie with gold foil peace signs on it for $3.49 including free shipping. Last year I purchased a pair of newborn girls baby shoes for around $4. A great way to shop on a tight budget, either for yourself or for gifts.
Susan says
When my daughter was younger, she was often invited to birthday parties for classmates and friends. I looked for deals on age-appropriate games and toys and kept a small supply on hand for those occasions.
Now that she is a young teen, such invitations come much less often, and they are from close friends, not classmates where she doesn’t have the same personal relationship. In these cases, she chooses a gift for her friend, and pays for it with her own money.
Nowadays, birthday and Christmas gifts for my daughter are things that I would likely buy for her anyway, like clothes, or something special, such as the photo blanket I gave her last for her birthday. Whether I’m calling it a “gift” or something else, like “clothes” doesn’t really matter.
As for my adult friends, we don’t exchange gifts. Instead I will take a friend out to lunch for her birthday, or have them over dinner or whatnot. It does not have to cost much. BOGO coupons for restaurants are plentiful.
My best suggestion for reducing gift expense is to just stop participating. I have 12 nieces and nephews who range in age from 24 to 12, one of whom is now married with a baby. Back when the first baby came along 24 years ago, my siblings and I anticipated that we’d all end up scattered across the country (which as it turns out has been the case). We agreed that nothing we might buy for the children through the years would be more valuable than a relationship, so we decided way back then not to exchange gifts. Any money we might have spent on gifts was instead saved up and spent on trips to see each other. I’ve never regretted it. To this day the cousins have special relationships even though they do not see each other in person very often.
Granted, these trips have cost more than Christmas and birthday gifts would have cost over the years, but that’s not my point. My point is that for close relationships, gifts are not needed.
Deanna says
I love shopping early/throughout the year as well! For my kids I also keep my eyes open at garage sales and thrift stores. Every once in a while I’ll find some high dollar item they’d love in great condition for dirt cheap.
Karina says
I do my Christmas shopping throughout the year. I shop sales and clearances and garage sales. I’m usually done around August. My son is still young enough to not care too much about the IT toy for that year. We buy things in the categories he likes. For example right now he loves Thomas the train, but generic trains make him just as happy. We lean more towards creative play toys (blocks, cars, books, make believe sets, arts and crafts) so those are much easier to buy in advance. Children’s interests change in the blink of an eye that as long as I have creative toys for him he’ll find something to be happy playing with. If he’s gotten interested in something that I don’t have anything of then I still have time to find a deal on one or two of those items. We only do a few toys from us and the ones from the grandparents.
Lori says
Does anyone know how to download the swagbucks app to an ipad?
Thanks!
Rachael @ Thriving on Thrifty says
I wish I knew more about the Ipad to help you out. I have an Android phone that I use it on.
Heather Ratliff says
It should be in the App store. Not 100% sure about iPad, but that’s how I got the iPhone app. There should be one for Swagbucks and one for Swagbucks TV.
MomofTwoPreciousGirls says
It looks like the apps are not optimized for iPad. When you search across the top you will see in blue “iPad only”. Click on that and change it to “iPhone only”. The only difference is when you open the apps on the bottom right hand corner, you’ll see a little button that says 2x. It will double the size of the app.
Stephenie says
It does not have an app. I had to pull it from google and create a shortcut. I am not techie and I did it awhile ago, check with someone you know how to create the shortcut from a web site. The only difference is that you will not get the 1 point a day for having it on your internet bar.
Jacki says
My favorite way to stock up is spring garage sales. We find so many new items still in packages. Most likely the items were received as gifts and never used.
Lynne says
Thanks for these suggestions Rachael. Would you mind sharing an example or two of things you’ve already purchased for Christmas? I would like to do that, but if I purchased things for my children now, their interests may change in 9 months. How do you ensure what you purchase now will still be a good fit in December? Thanks!
Rachael @ Thriving on Thrifty says
Hey Lynne! My son is still young enough that he isn’t too particular. But so far I have gotten him clothes on various sales for amazing deals. I went to Babies R Us for their $3 clearance sale and stocked up for Christmas gifts in the size that he should be at that point. Another example, I shopped after Christmas sales and scored a toy kitchen set for less than $10 that’s normally $40. Also, I have bought most of the presents for other people on my list like parents, in-laws, siblings, etc. by waiting for sales and pairing with my rewards from the various apps/websites that I use. I hope this helps.
Heather says
Especially for young children it’s good to give them things that aren’t interested in . . . yet! Help them broaden their horizons. I’ve been to parties where the child gets 20 different version of Thomas the Train, or whatever they currently like.
Heather @ My Mothermode says
“Like” this concept!
nancy s says
50% and 75% off after Christmas. my kids are 12 &14. lip balm, lotion, bath sets (all ages…little ones too) my stockings are nearly done, then I top off with items bought 50% off at Michael’s, posters, candles, cool pens, craft sets. beads, art supplies…toys, mugs…i use them for gifts for kids’ friends too.
Jessica says
I shop at Meijer which has a baby rewards program, pharmacy rewards program, and customized rewards in different categories (like spend $45 in produce save $7 off your next shopping trip). Meijer has toys, books, clothes, crafts, media, jewelry… so I use those rewards to buy gifts. I’d need to get diapers, prescriptions and produce anyway so the rewards are like free money to my gift budget. For example, they have Lego Friends sets priced at $9.99, so I can get one of those after I fill 5 prescriptions. Between my son and me, we have 5 prescriptions a month. I’ve also priced out prescriptions and Meijer’s prices are lower than the drugstores and competitive with the warehouse club.