This is the time of year that the big decisions are made. The closer the holidays come, the higher the anxiety level goes. What to get for those special people in our lives that seem to already have everything.
I canât tell you how many ties I have hanging in the closet that I have never worn. I donât have a pair of plaid pants, but some of the striped shirts are still waiting to be taken to Goodwill. These were the gifts received from those distant relatives who sent me the âperfectâ gift. The older I get, the tougher it seems to be each year to buy the âperfectâ gift for them. I would hate to think that the tie dye shirts I sent them in the past werenât still their favorites.
Well, here is a thought to ease your anxiety over selecting the âperfectâ gift. With the holidays fast approaching, maybe itâs just in time. How about a gift card? Yes, I know it isnât very personal. But I havenât heard of anyone not using gift cards. They wonât be hanging in the closet (or wallet) very long. I remember as a youth, my favorite aunt would always put a $10 or $20 bill in the card. It would go toward that toy that Santa forgot to leave under the tree. Well, a gift card to a specific store is a little more personal than cash, since it shows you know where they like to shop. Here are a few money saving ideas to remember if you are thinking about sending gift cards:
â Obtain the gift card from the retailer directly instead of purchasing it at the market or other reseller location. The original retailer wonât charge you an administrative fee for issuing the card.
â When you buy the gift card, there wonât be any sales tax. You just saved 7 to 10%.
â When you send the gift card, it can be included in the holiday card. You saved yourself the cost of the wrapping paper and postage to get it there.
â Be sure you ask the issuer of the card if the card expires or decreases in value over time if not used. Yes, some card issuers are starting to do this.
â Look for the best deals. Some card issuers are providing bonus cards with a minimum purchase of gift cards. For example, buy $50 worth of gift cards and get a $10 bonus gift card free. You can keep the bonus for yourself or send it along to the loved one.
Best wishes and Happy Holidays to all our Sun City neighbors!
Keep those letters coming, folks. Send in your ideas to: The Frugal Forum, P.O. Box 693, Huntley, IL 60142 or by email to: thefrugalforum@gmail.com.
