I guess I DON'T care enough to send the very best...

[jodi]

I read a funny article in the newspaper today - we have a very amusing columnist who writes a little blurb every Sunday. Today he was spouting off about the price of greeting cards and how he is guilted into spending $3.87 for one because of the phrase "When you care enough to send the very best", implying that if you DON'T buy this card, you obviously do not care about the person you are sending it to.
It got me thinking...what other phrases are out there trying to guilt us into spending more?
I saw this one while clipping coupons today "Because you're worth it" (Loreal)...so if I don't buy it, then apparently I do not think I am worthy of ten bucks?
Then there are a ton of variations on the theme of "You deserve this" designed to make us feel that we have EARNED the right to treat ourselves. I'm not saying we aren't deserving of treats, but it's a wonder so many people feel the need to buy so much. Just my thoughts...anyone want to add their hated slogans?

[jeffrey]

lol...my very first job out of college was with Hallmark cards. They print money (those cards cost a few cents to print). Sure glad I was able to see the light and decide that I didn't want to spend my entire life writing greeting cards

[thriftymom]

I buy card stock and envelopes that fit an 8 1/2 x 11 folded in half and make personalized cards on my computer! I haven't bought a card in ages! I won't fall for the silly slogan!

[getforfree]

My dh usually gives me a big buqet of flowers for my birthday. Its very nice, but I wanted something more usefull, like clothes or linjere or chocolate. Or at least the flowers that I could plant in our fron yard. But spending like $25 for flowers that would last only a couple of weeks, is too expensive. I appreciate that, but I gently reminded him that I would want to keep them fresh longer, maybe if I could plant them, they would last forever. How do I tell him that if he wants to buy me something, buy something usefull?

[Bluezy]

I get quality time with my son, CJ. That's priceless.

[Lori63]

Originally Posted by Bluezy

I get quality time with my son, CJ. That's priceless.

I love my boys, but I guess I'm on the opposite side of the spectrum. They are 17, 14, and 10, and all I want is for hubby to take THEM somewhere for the day without me!

[Haku]

The best cards I've ever received were hand-made. They didn't cost much to make.

[poundwise]

One of the nicest cards I have ever received was handmade, but very well done. She used a heavy stock paper which was rippled and brown on one side and solid blue on the other. It had a nice photo affixed to the front. It was actually kind of hard to believe that it was handmade. She says that she estimates that it costs her about 30-40 cents to make each card.

[PrincessPerky]

Originally Posted by getforfree

My dh usually gives me a big buqet of flowers for my birthday. Its very nice, but I wanted something more usefull, like clothes or linjere or chocolate. Or at least the flowers that I could plant in our fron yard. But spending like $25 for flowers that would last only a couple of weeks, is too expensive. I appreciate that, but I gently reminded him that I would want to keep them fresh longer, maybe if I could plant them, they would last forever. How do I tell him that if he wants to buy me something, buy something usefull?

Try the phrase "buy me this" it generally works, but don't forget to layer oin the praise for him doning the right thing

Another thing I like is handmade cards by the kids...I still have my birthday card up right infront of me, signed by all three kids (JC just made a J, GMC spelled his out nice,a nd UE made a scribble) I can't really remember what I got for my brithday, but I remember the card!

[Tree0164]

I have tried to get away from buying cards. I have gotten some card making supplies that kids and I can do together.

Spending $3 or $4 on a greeting card to me is useless.

[poundwise]

Another option to consider is that Dollar General sells some fairly nice cards for 2/$1. That's hard to beat and they aren't cheap-looking either.

[Ima saver]

I don't know how to make cards, but my girlfriend makes all of hers. i agree with poundwise, I get my cards for 50 cents at the dollar store. I have asked for no more flowers either. If I want flowers I will go outside and enjoy what is blooming!!
The only slogan I can think of is, you deserve a break today. (McDonalds)

[mrvirgo]

I don't think the marketing wizzards who will use any method possible to make you buy their products are going to find too many suckers among the regulars at SavingAdvice. Their guilt, status, and nothing-but-the-best gimmicks have not altered my choice making for years. After I read Joe Domingues and Vicki Robin's Your Money or Your Life, years ago, their tricks, happily, didn't work on me any more.

[poundwise]

One that comes to mind for me are the older Michelin ads which featured babies sitting in tires. The slogan, "Because so much is riding on your tires" is clearly an appeal to parents who surely will buy Michelin; that is, if they love their children they will. Right?

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

My eyes were opened regarding the effectiveness of advertising when my eighth grade current events teacher asked the class if anyone had bought something because of advertising they had seen. I remember thinking "Who in the world would buy something just because of advertising?" But hands shot up in the air and the teacher began asking the students what they had bought. Again and again, the kids named a certain brand of toothpaste. About 2/3 of the class had bought this toothpaste, consciously aware that it was because of a television ad. But then they admitted with humor that the toothpaste had not made them more beautiful people with lots of adoring boy/girlfriends as the commerciall seemed to promise.

[markio26]

very nice post and replies... i try to do what i can on my own... homemade cards or a nice postcard works fine... my one pal always asks me, what do they do for you??? do they send you a card??? so, xmas time. when i replied to the few cards we received with cards, i mentioned to my sil, mil, that spouse would appreciate them calling him for a change... some of my family have stopped sending cards at xmas, we simply exchange them at the annual xmas dinner, and most are from dg... i prefer making my own..... the old fashioned way with glitter, and a poem or something. stickers are easily added to cards... i enclose a nice picture...

[eisor]

My mom buys cards from Costco. They have the boxes with really fancy cards. The cards with all the little things that adorn them. All the cards are 3-D. The same style cards sell for at least $4 in the store. But, at Costco, you can get them for around 50 cents a card! Definitely a steal. We don't have time to make cards, so this is a great alternative. Plus, you always have cards on hand!

[lrjohnson]

I give a lot of used stuff, and homemade stuff. I used to feel a little guilty, but when I realized that I myself liked used, thoughtful gifts better, I figutred it was okay. (A new paperback book frankly intimidates me-I honestly prefer used.) If someone told me they had an aversion to a used item, or even gave off that vibe, I'd do my best to respect it. I mostly don't give cards with gifts, not sure why. When I want to give a little gift, like, say, a card, I just give them a half pint of jam.

[ski]

There are great ideas for gift giving in this thread, but I thought that you were commenting on the slogans out there to guilt us into buying...
Its everywhere. Especially for your children! I have a 1 year old and it is hard sometimes going for inexpensive things. Anyway, I can't think of another slogan that meets your criteria. the thread title says it all though, I don't care to give the very bes either, homemade cards for me!!