Money Saving Tip - Wrapping Gifts

Today's great money saving tip is....

Wrapping Gifts:

Giving gifts isn't cheap. These days you can spend almost as
much on the wrapping paper and bows as you do on the present.

One way to save a little money is to create your own wrapping
paper, which is not only unique, but also fun. You can use simple
brown grocery bags or a roll of inexpensive craft paper with some
paint or markers to make your design. Better yet you can let your
kids do the designing , which will make it even more special and
they will have a blast.

Here is a quick idea for a boy's gift:

Using black and yellow paint or markers, create a miniature road.
Then dip a toy truck tires into red paint roll them along the paper
making tire tracks. You can then draw free hand a stop sign, yield
sign, or stop light. Next, using a hot glue gun, glue a couple of the
miniature trucks to the paper. Any young boy will be just as
thrilled with the wrapping as the actual gift.

For a girl, you can simply create miniature bows from existing
fabric or lace and glue them on brown paper then free hand
draw colorful flowers. Just use your creativity and look around for
items you already have on hand to use.

Harvey Akeson
harvey@harveyakeson.com
http://A1MoneySaver.blogspot.com

Money Saving Tip - Holiday Gifts

Today's great money saving tip is....

Holiday Gifts:

This tip is especially helpful for large families. Although it is fun
buying for and receiving from everyone, it can be very expensive.

When you budget is tight try make an agreement with your family
that you will continue to buy for the children, but that the adults
will go with a name exchange.

This way the children are not disappointed and you can spend
a little more on one or two people rather than spreading your
money thin. For the members that you did not pick to exchange
with, bake a loaf of their favorite homemade bread or cookies.

The holidays are about finding joy, while spending time with each
other. Focus on that and everyone will be happy!

Harvey Akeson
harvey@harveyakeson.com

EXTRA TIP This Holiday Season look for merchants
that have a "Layaway" plan.
There are several great reasons to use the
old-fashioned practice of putting merchandise aside and making
regular payments until everything is paid off. This is a
great way to do holiday shopping without building up credit
card balances thereby saving on debt interest. Check your
local stores for their policy, see if "SALE" merchandise
can be put in Layaway, how long you have to pay for the
merchandise and at what weekly payments. You won't need
the presents right away and this gives you a safe place
of storage out of prying eyes while enabling you to take
advantage of a special price and making payment without
interest.
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