Frugality & procrastination don't mix.

Well, I screwed up big time.


I was absolutely sure that MyPoints emailed the gift certificate code to me. So I put off ordering the cards until this weekend, to ensure that I would have the full amount necessary for 2 $50 cards.


Turns out, I was wrong. The gift cards are mailed, which means I'll be lucky to get them in 2 weeks. Meanwhile, Amazon informed me I had only 6 days left for standard shipping to arrive in time for Christmas.


In other words, I would have to pay cash now and then sell the cards on eBay when they finally arrived. Which would mean getting maybe $90 after fees, etc.


Luckily, Mom routinely buys textbooks from Amazon. So she ordered for me, and I'll hand over the gift cards when they arrive.


Basically, I have once again proven that frugality & procrastination are natural enemies. In fact, procrastination costs people plenty: late fees, forgetting to cancel memberships, etc.


I'm sure all of you are plenty prepared and would never let such things happen. But just in case the unthinkable has happened -- and because you now have only a couple more days to order with standard shipping and still get items in time for Christmas -- I'm offering some ideas for gifts under $25:

• First, visit the i pick up pennies' Amazon store at the bottom of the page for plenty of apparel for the comic-book-lover in your life. I created a category called, "Geek Chic" and almost every piece in there is under $20.

• Also on Amazon, consider finding great bargain books from Amazon sellers. Plenty of "Used -- Like New" which I have gotten and they really look untouched! I got a boxed set of 3 books by The Sweet Potato Queens (perfect for the sassy lady in your life) for $1.48 plus $3.99 tax.

Also good for light and funny reading are Terry Pratchett novels, which I'm getting Tim into. Need some good chick lit? I love Marian Keyes. Buying for the more serious literature type? Try Ann Patchett, Richard Powers or Isabel Allende. Harry Potter fan who's restless now the series is over? Try the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer. Allende also has some very well-written young adult books, so check hers out, too!

• If you know a bookworm with no space for books, consider a rental plan, like the one at BooksFree -- where you can get a plan with regular books or audiobooks. Audiobooks are great for people with reading or visions problems, or for those with severe illnesses. (They saved my sanity in the hospital!) Plans start at $9.99, and you can get a 10% discount on gift-plans and renewals through 12/25.

• Just about everything on Levita is under $25. Many items are under $15! I'm in love with lots of this jewelry. If I weren't already surrounded by stuff I didn't wear, I'd buy everything below (and then some)! Free shipping on all orders, but today's the last day if you want your order to ship before Christmas.
  

Textured silver bracelets (4), also available in hematite ($9.99):

Curved sickle earrings ($6.49):



3" Purple Glass Oval Hoop Rhodium Earrings ($6.99):



Shower rings vintage gold earrings also available in silver ($6.49):


3" silver earrings w/ diamond accents also available in gold ($5.99):

Garnet necklace ($17.99):

Silver chain w/ faux pearls ($13.99):

Silver-plated wild shape necklace ($16.99)

• Shoe lover? Give them a gift certificate to Gotham Online. Or pick up some $19.97 Bandolinos or Steve Maddens for yourself.

• Snarky person? T-shirt lover? Busted Tees will have just the thing! Shirts from $7.77 to $20.
  

• Video games fan? Games under $25 at Thumb Monkey.

• Marvel is having some pretty decent holiday sales, as well as some decently priced regular merchandise.

Calendars from $8.95
Videos (animated & film) from $14.98
Mugs, watches, bobbleheads & lunchboxes $6.95-21.95
Shirts under $20

Spidey bobblehead ($6.95):

Silver Surfer shirt ($11.21):

Hulk bust bank ($14.95):

• Cartoon Network's shop also has some fun stuff.

Ben 10 lunchboxes, shirts, watches, etc $2.50-$14.95
Foster's shirts (from $4.25), jewelry ($3.25), keychains, etc
Billy & Mandy "Clowns hate tangelos" T-shirt ($8.48)

Star Wars watch ($12.95):

Foster's "I'm a hot toe picker" shirt ($4.25):

Ben 10 Kevin 11 & Max Transforming Alien Rocks ($2.50):

• The WB shop has a multitude of lines: Looney Tunes, Harry Potter, Scooby, DC Comics

Batman shirt ($8.48):

Dumbeldore's Army Messenger bag ($21.71)

Superman messenger bag ($16.85)

Harry Potter heat-sensitive mug ($14.95):

Superman thermal shirt ($17.50)

Corpse Bride shirt ($8.48):

Where the Wild Things Are ($16.22):

T3 skull figure ($7.98):

Superman silver cuff links ($9.98)

Charlie & The Chocolate Factory Hoodie ($20):

Harry Potter bookmarks ($10.50):

Speedy Gonzalez hoodie ($20):

Cheap-ifying gifts

I'm always plotting. If that hasn't become apparent to you, well then you're either new or not paying attention.


Basically, my mind is usually in a default setting of "deal-searching" or "money-saving." I'm always concocting new (to me) ideas on how we can cut back or spend less.


In case you haven't already guessed, I'm fairly proud of this latest one! I call it "Cheapifying gifts." Because this is my blog and I can make up words if I want.


There are great rewards programs out there, like MyPoints. They help defray the cost of gifts (either for yourself or for others) and may even let you get things for free. Always good.


But there are other ways to shrink costs. These may not be monumental savings, but every little bit counts. More importantly, these tricks cost nothing. Some of you may already have the tools on your blog pages.


Drumroll please....



Affiliate Marketing

It's true that, as a smaller blog, I probably won't make tons of cash through affiliate marketing. But have you considered that I can actually save myself money through it?


I've already mentioned this, but, to reiterate, Tim is just dying to get an annual subscription to the Marvel online comic section. Basically, for the equivalent of $5/month, he'll be able to read exclusive, web-only Marvel comics and can go into the "vault" and access any comic Marvel has ever published.


This is ideal for him because he doesn't have to store the comics or bring himself to throw any out. He can just point, click, read. No clutter, and it's a present he can enjoy all year round. (These were his very reasoned arguments for the present. You have to admit, he covers all the angles.)


Now, hypothetically speaking, if I were to get Tim this subscription -- and I know you're reading this Tim and I'm not promising anything -- I could follow my own ad and get 6% back. (I already checked with the program manager, and it's completely kosher.) So that lowers the cost by $4.20.... hypothetically, of course.


Additionally, like many bloggers, I have an Amazon store. I also have a few gift ideas that revolve around books. If I follow my own link, I stand to get upto 7% back.


I'm especially proud of this idea because I am cashing in MyPoints to get gift cards. So if this works, I'll get up to $7 back without actually spending any money.



Cash back programs


Plenty of you are already signed up to rewards programs like MyPoints or Inbox Dollars, or even BigCrumbs. So, like me, you may have assumed that Ebates is pretty much the standard cash-back-for-shopping deal.


Not so.


I just signed up for this program, and I have to say, the merchant list is a lot more extensive than Inbox Dollars or even MyPoints.


In addition, there are merchants the other programs don't have. Plus, Ebates has a section for merchant coupons and a section where you can get cash back for buying gift cards!


I'm buying at least one gift magazine subscription, which will get 26% cash back through Ebates for a savings of $4.41.


Tim has a gift idea that his family can share. (Sorry, can't name it. His mom has pledged to start reading the blog. I'm a stickler for surprise.) But it's something we can get at Target -- which means we can get it using a MyPoints card. And we'll get $2 back from the purchase.


Combined with the affiliate marketing savings from above, that's almost $18 back from my holiday shopping! (And, I might add, technically, I will only have spent about $70-80.)


The one caveat here is that Ebates only pays quarterly. So you won't get any money back into your hand until February 15. (That's for any purchase made before December 31.) But the cashout amount is only $5.01, which is pretty easy to attain in just a couple of transactions.



If you haven't yet signed up for Ebates, go check it out. If you follow this link, you'll get a $5 referral bonus (just like I will). This won't be credited to either of us until you make your first purchase through Ebates.



A few points to consider

First -- and I can say this from personal experience -- before you buy anything online, look through your programs. I've missed out on a lot of MyPoints over the years, simply because I haven't checked to see whether a store was a participating merchant. You kick yourself for days afterwards. Much easier to take a minute to check the site.


Second, you should check among your programs to find the deal that is best in your interest. When there are good online sales, I often buy Tim's Body Shop products through MyPoints. I thought 3 points per dollar was a nice little bonus. But now I know Ebates will give me 5% back for any purchase.


I had to figure out which was better; so I compared the two. On a $50 purchase, Ebates would return $2.50. MyPoints would give me 150 points. Since it takes 1200-1400 points to get a $10 gift card, that means the MyPoints equivalent is just over $1. Pretty clear choice, eh?


Third remember that many products are available at various stores. So if you're thinking about buying something through Wal-Mart (1% back), consider checking Target (4% back) to see if the price is comparable.


Finally, you should keep an eye out for special promotions. There are times when some merchants will offer double points -- or a lump-sum of points for a specific purchase. That may change the balance. And for CyberMonday, several of Ebates' stores were offering double their usual cash back. In other words, never assume that things stay the same.

Some thoughts on frugal gift giving

Well, I've passed my first month of blogging. Hooray and all that!


I want to thank everyone who has joined up so far. Your readership and comments are what keep this blog interesting -- and from meaning that I'm talking to myself.


I hope you'll all continue to read. I've gotten a lot of great feedback, and I think of this as a kind of conversation with all of you.



Okay, sappy stuff is over. On to today's business:

Well, it's September. Which means stores (and frugal people) are getting ready for Christmas.


Almost Frugal had a really nice piece on frugal gift-giving that caught my eye.


Kelly breaks down frugal gifts into seven categories: homemade, on sale, experiences, gift certificates, useful (cue ominous music), secondhand and donations.


She then asks the thought-provoking questions: What are your favorite frugal gift ideas? Do you have another category to add here? How would you feel if somebody gave you a gift that obviously came from a thrift store?



It's not secondhand, it's pre-loved

I latched on to Kelly's last question, because I am fully planning on going a'huntin' for 50% off gifts tomorrow at Value Village's Labor Day sale. I love thrift store hunting (when I have energy) for the same reason I love garage sales: The thrill of what you might find.


You never know what you'll find at these places. I've found kids' toys with the tags still attached (make for great new-baby gifts), I find strange items for funny gifts (for $1 at Goodwill I couldn't pass up buying "Yachting" the card/peg game for my mom) or even great finds (I once found a pack of old Magic the Gathering cards at a Goodwill and am eternally on the hunt for another such score).

My hope is that I can find a few things that are like-new or (better) still tagged/wrapped for Christmas/birthdays. Granted, it'll be tricky to shop for my mom, since sh'ell almost certainly be with me. (This helps me save energy by not driving; also, she'd probably kill me for going without her.)



I made it all by myself

I will, of course, also be doing the homemade gift thang this year. (Yeah, I said "thang." Deal with it.)


I am working on some beading projects. I think I have a reasonable chance of actually getting one or two items done before Christmas -- even given my sporadic attention.


I also crochet relatively well and knit reasonably okay. So if I see a small project or two, I might endeavor to take those on.


My mom doesn't do the crafts, but then this means her gifts actually get finished. She's been picking local blackberries, which grow in random patches around here, and making jam. She did a batch of strawberry, as well, but the fruit had to be purchased, so the batch was much smaller.


Her last set of jam will be plum. She made a deal with some nearby homeowners, who have a plum tree in their yard. After noticing that the fruit was falling off and rotting, she left a note offering an exchange: she gets to pick the fruit, they get free jam.


As you can imagine, the homeowners were delighted by the idea of a) free homemade jam and b) less yard clean-up. So it's really win-win. Especially for me, since I get plenty of jam and don't even have to pick the plums!


Mom's actually been extra industrious this year, since we stumbled on a yard sale with 3 full boxes of jam jars & rings for $12. Even after giving some to her sister, mom has plenty of jam-making supplies for the foreseeable future.


My aunt was thrilled with the extra jam jars, which are getting harder to find. We're betting it has something to do with everyone suddenly tightening their belts. At any rate, all these jars mean I can count on blackberry and plum from mom.


And for my birthday, I got a jar of blueberry from my aunt, along with my favorite of her homemade gifts: pesto. She buys fresh basil at the farmer's market and then spends part of her vacation plugging away at pesto-making. She then freezes it in ice cube trays, which makes for easy serving sizes.


She keeps this tradition extra frugal by simply borrowing her friend's Cuisanart once a year. She reasons that she wouldn't use it otherwise, why bother with the expense?


Around Christmastime, my aunt also makes trays of peanut brittle -- especially ironic, since she's a dental hygienist. It's incredibly addictive; in fact, it's got two of the 3 major candy food groups: sugar & peanut. The third, of course, is chocolate.


Crafty lady that she is (in both senses of the word), she gives the stuff away and reminds people the tins are magic. They will automatically refill themselves next year... so long as they're returned to her when empty.




Go get yourself something pretty

I know some folks hate gift cards, but personally I think they can be a useful tool. As Kelly points out, these are great because you can determine the amount.


Some say gift cards are too impersonal. I say they're perfect for people's favorite stores. I also like them because programs like MyPoints allow you to get these gifts for free.


For those not sure about gift cards, think about the number of presents that you've had to pretend to love. Wouldn't it have been easier if the person let you pick out what you wanted? By getting a card from the person's favorite store, you're showing thoughtfulness but also common sense.


Plus, there is a certain excitement and anticipation when you get to go to your favorite store with a gift card clutched in your hot little hand. You have fun deciding what you get to spend that money on. And you get to add to your material possessions without the guilt of spending. That's a rare treat.



It's all about experience...

Perhaps the best thing, though, is the advice I gave Smart-Spending readers last year: giving experiences. It cuts down on waste, which increases each year during the holidays. From shredded wrapping paper to unwanted gifts, the landfills bulge each holiday season.


More importantly, you can give gifts without giving clutter. Some will produce a bit of clutter, such as magazines. I have a love for the tawdry gossip of US Magazine, but refuse to pay the newsstand price. So this winter, I'll probably put it on the list and dutifully recycle the old issues. A hobby magazine means the person is reminded quarterly of your thoughtful nature.


Experiences are even better: Go in with friends on a massage (3 people at $20 means a luxurious hour of self-indulgence) or give lessons or classes.


For the person who truly has everything, donations are great. You still give, but they don't end up with unnecessary items. I had two friends who were financially comfortable; they asked for donations in lieu of gifts.


Here ends most of my analysis: Almost all items I buy for holiday gifts are on-sale, so it seems redundant, and many of the presents I ask for (and give) have a useful aspect about them. I try not to give many presents that aren't useful or directly related to the person's hobbies; it increases the chance that the item will be thrown away.


So now some questions for you:

What's your favorite kind of frugal giving? What do you like to make for friends/family? What's the best gift you ever found, secondhand?

I love yard sales

I *heart* yard sales.

Yeah, that's right: I said *heart*

Because there's no other way to emphasize just how thrilled and excited I get from glimpsing "yard sale."

It's the unknown.

You might find treasure (like when I found most of the serving trays for the weeding for a total of $13).

You'll probably find trash. (People don't want this stuff, after all.) But it's also good for a chuckle.


Mom and I were both manic about hitting as many as possible each weekend last year, to make sure we got all sorts of great stuff for the wedding. Between illness, vacations and generally bad timing, we've been pretty poorly organized this summer.

Still:

• A full set of ionic curlers (and clips) for $3
• A fab Christmas gift for Tim (can't say what because he reads this blog). Suffice to say, he'll have a hard time figuring out which is from a store and which I got from a yard sale.
• Ankle boots for $1 (After 8 years, my Payless ones are beyond dead.)
• A pair of jeans for 25 cents. (Technically, 75 cents, since the other two pairs didn't fit.)

Sadly, yard sale season will be dwindling soon. And I'm not up for too much scouting in this current heat wave. (Seattle folks are not cut out for this weather -- we have fans, no air conditioners.)

So let this be a reminder to shop early and often for birthday and Christmas gifts. You'd be amazed what you can find -- for yourself and for others.

What have you found this year that you just love? What's your favorite yard sale coup?