Blogging for Change

Think outside of the gift box

by Kim McGrigg on
10/30/2008
in Budgeting and Building Savings

I have received requests for a ‘top ten list of ways to save’ this holiday season, so here goes:

1. Make a list and cross yourself off the list.
2. Set spending limits. If your limit is $20 per gift, don’t buy $25 gifts.
3. Don’t try to buy holiday spirit. Instead try listening to music or baking cookies.
4. Start a new tradition. Draw names or give family gifts rather than individual gifts.
5. Regift. Some gifts are better the second time around.
6. Give time (i.e. yard work, babysitting). Free to give, but valuable to the recipient.
7. Shop second-hand. Everyone knows that reusing and recycling are smart things to do.
8. Get creative. Knit something, cook something, get crafty.
9. Know that setting a good financial example for your children is a priceless gift.
10. Finally, when you finish shopping—stop shopping!

I guess what I’m trying to get at is that this holiday season doesn’t have to be like the ghosts of Christmas’ past. Just because you’ve “always” done something a certain way doesn’t make it the right way.

I’d like to challenge you to think outside of the gift box. Please share your holiday spending tips through the comments section.

Kim McGrigg is the former Manager of Community and Media Relations for MMI.

Recommended Articles

Man sitting in front of pile of bills, trying to understand his options.
Professional Budget Advice
Make the most of every dollar and start building toward your dreams! Budget counseling is FREE and available 24/7.
Learn More
Learn more
  • Better Business Bureau A+ rating Better Business Bureau
    MMI is proud to have achieved an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), a nonprofit organization focused on promoting and improving marketplace trust. The BBB investigates charges of fraud against both consumers and businesses, sets standards for truthfulness in advertising, and evaluates the trustworthiness of businesses and charities, providing a score from A+ (highest) to F (lowest).
  • Financial Counseling Association of America Financial Counseling Association of America
    MMI is a proud member of the Financial Counseling Association of America (FCAA), a national association representing financial counseling companies that provide consumer credit counseling, housing counseling, student loan counseling, bankruptcy counseling, debt management, and various financial education services.
  • Trustpilot Trustpilot
    MMI is rated as “Excellent” (4.9/5) by reviewers on Trustpilot, a global, online consumer review platform dedicated to openness and transparency. Since 2007, Trustpilot has received over 116 million customer reviews for nearly 500,000 different websites and businesses. See what others are saying about the work we do.
  • Department of Housing and Urban Development - Equal Housing Opportunity Department of Housing and Urban Development
    MMI is certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide consumer housing counseling. The mission of HUD is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD provides support services directly and through approved, local agencies like MMI.
  • Council on Accreditation Council On Accreditation
    MMI is proudly accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA), an international, independent, nonprofit, human service accrediting organization. COA’s thorough, peer-reviewed accreditation process is designed to ensure that organizations like MMI are providing the highest standard of service and support for clients and employees alike.
  • National Foundation for Credit Counseling National Foundation for Credit Counseling
    MMI is a longstanding member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling® (NFCC®), the nation’s largest nonprofit financial counseling organization. Founded in 1951, the NFCC’s mission is to promote financially responsible behavior and help member organizations like MMI deliver the highest-quality financial education and counseling services.