Looking for the perfect gift for a fellow tightwad? These are some of my absolute personal favorites! Try these simple suggestions for gifts that help the recipient save even more money:
- Entertainment Book — Tons of great coupons for those special occasions that call for eating out. Many places feature “buy one, get one free” deals. Order through uPromise for added college savings.
- InginuiTEA — This is one of my all-time favorites. As an avid tea-drinker, one of the biggest frustrations keeping me from enjoying loose-leaf tea was finding tea leaves that were left floating in it. I tried tea balls, strainers, everything. Finally, my brother-in-law (thanks, Mike!) gifted me with this ingenious device! Buying loose tea saves money, and is better for the environment. Now I am hooked!
- Barnes & Noble Membership — Another passion of mine is reading – oh, and going to cafes! So when my in-laws gifted me with a membership to Barnes & Noble, I was thrilled! Now I can enjoy further discounts on books, gifts, and even coffee for the next 365 days.
- Subscription to Money Magazine — This magazine is worth reading, and subscriptions start at just $19.95/year (12 issues) from Magazines.com.
- The Complete Tightwad Gazette — This book belongs on the bookshelf of every Tightwad. Of course, I borrowed it from the library. Having a copy on hand is worth the purchase price because I find myself referring to recipes, tips, and ideas found in here quite frequently.
- Breadmaker — No, you don’t need a breadmaker to make bread, but it will save a ton of time. I have a newborn, so spending 25 minutes kneading bread is simply out of the question. Thanks to my Cuisinart Breadmaker, I can have fresh bread, pizza dough, and even soft pretzels baking in minutes. Before you go NUTS over the price of this model, you might want to check out a thrift shop. I frequently see pre-owned breadmakers for $10 or so. Click here if you are looking for the owner’s manual to a breadmaker.
- Water Filter & Reusable Water Bottle — Bottled water is a complete waste of money. Instead, purchase a water filter, and reusable water bottle. My favorite filter is Brita, and I really love the Sigg water bottles.
- Pizza Making Kit — Instead of buying pizza, it is more fun (and much less expensive) to make it yourself. Here is a good example of what to include.
- Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs — By replacing iridescent light bulbs with CFL’s you will notice a significant savings on your electric bill.
- Goodwill Shopper’s Card — True Tightwads enjoy shopping at Goodwill for great buys on used (or sometimes new) merchandise. Check with your local Goodwill to purchase a Shopper’s Card good for various discounts throughout the store.
I think a subscription to Consumer Reports would be great, too. I like to know the quality of the item I’m looking to buy, and often they point out that the better products cost less! I also think it’s thrifty to not have to replace items because the one I bought broke, so Consumer Reports gives me a little more peace of mind in that arena.
Great idea… I had forgotten about Consumer Reports, and it is a terrific resource. So glad you mentioned it!
stmas is over. but these are all great ideas. totally useable for birthdays and other holidays where presents are involved.
i found alot of green gifts for my frugal and green living relatives and friends this christmas season http://www.sweetguides.ca