Quote:
Originally Posted by funnyvalentine
This whole thread is making me depressed. I honestly don't believe that the spirit of giving is all in finding the cheapest possible way to gift someone; if that's all it is, maybe we should question why we give gifts to begin with. While I try not to spend the most money possible, it's a real joy to shop with a specific person in mind, thinking about what they'd love to have. It the giftee isn't worth that effort, why give at all?
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I'm so used to looking for bargains that it's second nature by now. The end of April was my sister's birthday, then my mom's, then Mother's Day, then dad's birthday , then Father's Day, then my MIL's birthday, then my husband's birthday was the end of June.
First of all, this is a money saving financial forum. The whole point is to share ideas that work for us on how to economise in order to meet financial goals. Taking the time to shop sales or to find gifts months in advance DOES take effort - actually more effort than the way most people typically shop. Who's to say that just because the items I buy are inexpensive, I'm not shopping with a specific person in mind and thinking about what they'd love to have?
I bought my sister, mom, and MIL clothes from a specialty retailer that they loved and enjoy wearing. Each got two or three outfits. Does buying them on sale mean that I love them any less? Of course not - I'm trying to make financial choices that make sense for me and my family.
I saved points on MyPoints to go towards a nice-sized gift card for my husband's birthday gift. That way he was able to unwrap the exact grill, cover, and accessories he wanted and I didn't go over our 'birthday budget'.
Usually when someone's birthday or Christmas is just around the corner, we have no worries about last-minute shopping. That makes both of us happy and we're able to just relax and enjoy ourselves. That is one intangible reward of thinking ahead and hitting the sales.