AFFORDABLE HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIPS-They're Not What You Think
Have a Memorable and Economical Holiday Season & Links
Check out my very first video about holiday shopping (dusted off from the archives). The tips are timeless! Remember the joy this holiday season, not the debt.
Spend for the Holidays on What Matters
I was at a local Marshall’s last week-end when I noticed a toy drive bucket in front. I decided to go in and buy some toys to donate. As I perused the toy section, looking for something fun and durable, I was struck with the “junk”. So many toys are poorly constructed and look as though they won’t even last through the new year. As a sucker for the Disney princesses, I bought a set of dolls with electronic stories to go along. Next I purchased a remote control dump truck (I love those toys). I just hope that it is well made enough to withstand the test of time. My final toy was a toddler puzzle made of wood, the worst that can happen with that one is that the child loses a piece.
I envisioned the children opening the toys and hoped they would be something that would be fun, meaningful, and last awhile.
Wealth and Holiday Links
- 18 Tips to Save on Holiday Shopping; MSN Money
- 5 Ways to Spend Less this Holiday Season; Savvy Sugar
- Money Saving Tips for the Holidays; Bankrate
- How to Host a Christmas Party on a Budget; Invest it Wisely
- What Christmas Expectations are you Setting for Your Children? Beating Broke (guest article by Melissa Batai)
- Thoughtful Yet Cheap Gifts Under $20; Everything Finance (And don’t miss his iPad giveaway!)
Barb Across the Blogosphere
- 2 Guys and Your Money Podcast; When Your Job Goes Bye Bye (I’m a regular contributor)
- Len Penzo; Black Coffee; Odd Shopping Habits, Lazy Kids, and Fuzzy Math
- Yakezie Carnival at Savvy Scot
- Carnival of Financial Planning at One Cent At A Time
- Carnival of MoneyPros at The Frugal Toad
- Carnival of Retirement at Vanessa’s Money
How do you decide what to buy for the children?
7 Comments
I completely agree Barb, so much of the stuff out there today is just plain junk. We hold back a lot of what we have budgeted and use it for fun experiences for the kids throughout the year. They get so much from our parents that we don’t need to contribute much to the junk pile.
December 12, 2012
I don’t mind spending, but I want it to mean something, not just more stuff.
December 12, 2012
I think parents also need to look at what they bought their children last year. How many of the toys did the children end up actually playing with? How many do they play with now. How many broke or were thrown away/donated.
December 12, 2012
This season, my wife and I have no plan to purchase toys for our 2 kids, we are savings for their educational plan. Wooden toys now are common in many toys’ store and its more safe and durable than plastic or steel one.
December 13, 2012
@Justin, I remember a chemistry set with microscopewe bought our daughter which was junk and never worked properly. Same with the Disney pottery wheel!! So much “stuff” is forgotten. I like your tip.
@My WEalth, I had a friend several years ago who did the same for her son; he’s now all grown up and a successful entrepreneur. Missing wasteful spending at the holidays didn’t seem to hurt him.
December 13, 2012
@Barbara, You are right. Today many company just want to earn money. They not think about products quality. I’m a very busy guy. I don’t have time for shopping. One day in hurry I just bought a toy for my kid. And that toy is just a crap after two days it broke. Such waste products.
December 21, 2012
@I hate when you buy something and it is basically junk. What a waste of time and money.
January 6, 2013