6 Shopping Tips for Bad Gift Givers

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CJ Darnieder
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Gift-giving isn’t everyone’s love language, and it’s okay if it isn’t yours! We have six fantastic and easy-to-follow tips to turn your reputation for being a below-average gift giver around!

 

1. Listen Up

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Have you ever received a gift that seemed completely unrelated to your interests? Chances are, the giver didn’t take the time to really understand what you like. Pay attention to your recipient’s interests and needs to avoid making the same mistake. Listening and observing can provide valuable clues to what you should buy or where to shop. For example, if your friend loves cooking, a high-quality kitchen gadget or a cookbook by their favorite chef could be perfect for them.

2. Get Personal

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Personalized gifts show that you’ve put extra thought into your selection. This doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money; even small touches can make a big difference. For example, you could create a photo album filled with shared memories or engrave a piece of jewelry with their initials. Or if you don’t want to get that specific, buy something that’s in their favorite color or from their favorite store. Personalization adds a unique touch that can turn an ordinary item into the greatest gift ever.

3. Ask For Help

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Don’t hesitate to reach out to mutual friends for advice on how to shop for this person. It’s best to chat with someone you can trust so they don’t spill the metaphorical beans and someone who knows the person well enough to give you decent enough advice. People close to them could even give you specific items to shop for a godsend for the lousy gift giver!

4. Try Experiences, Not Things

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Much gift-giving stress comes from not knowing what kind of THINGS people like. But think about what the person likes to do, and you might find your shopping easier! Experiences can often be more meaningful than material gifts, and the memories they have can provide joy long after the event has passed. It’s a gift that keeps on giving!

5. Stick to a Budget

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Putting constraints on yourself can help you hone in on shopping for a sure thing or at a specific place. It can also eliminate the stress of gift giving: if you set a precedent for how much you can spend, you won’t worry about spending “enough”—you spent within your budget! And if money is the object, remember that thoughtfully made gifts are just as good as something expensive if you do it with love and care for the person!

6. Consider the Person’s Lifestyle

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Everyone has a unique lifestyle, and the best gifts seamlessly fit into the recipient’s day-to-day life. Consider what might make their life easier or more enjoyable. If they’re busy professionals, for example, a subscription to a meal kit service could save them so much time and effort.

Reflect on how your gift can enhance their lifestyle; you’ll be more likely to pick something they’ll love and use. It’ll seem even more thoughtful and unexpected, which are fantastic qualities to have as a gift giver!

20 Frugal Tips From the “Grandparents Generation” That Still Apply Today

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Many of today’s grandparents had parents or grandparents who lived through the Great Depression. They adopted many of the frugal living tips they learned and passed them on to their own children.

Grandkids sometimes think that they know everything and that their grandparents are out of touch with today’s world and reality. And while there might be a kernel of truth to that, grandparents still have a wealth of knowledge that can really help. They may need to be tweaked to fit the current world but they are still valuable.

20 Frugal Tips From the “Grandparents Generation” That Still Apply Today

13 Signs You’re Financially Better Off Than the Average American

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Achieving financial stability where you can meet your current financial obligations comfortably and still plan for the future is a goal everyone strives to attain.

However, while you may be able to pay your bills, save for vacations, and afford to dine out occasionally, you may feel left behind, especially if you compare yourself with your peers or others with higher salaries. You may be doing way better financially than the average American.

13 Signs You’re Financially Better Off than the Average American

14 Companies That Will Give You Free Food and Products Just for Asking

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More companies are now offering free samples to get customers to try a new product. Over time, these companies gain loyal customers and can increase their sales. As a customer, you also get to test out free products and sample foods you’ve never tasted.

Read on as we explore some companies that will give you food and products for free just by asking.

14 Companies That Will Give You Free Food and Products Just for Asking

14 Powerful Frugal Living Tips for Middle-Class Americans

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Inflation is high. This means that we don’t all need to understand, but we do understand that prices are high on basically everything. Everything costs more, and things are tough. Basic necessities like housing and healthcare are becoming increasingly unaffordable for most people.

As middle-class Americans adjust to the new reality, here are some powerful frugal living tips that can make our lives easier and better.

14 Powerful Frugal Living Tips for Middle-Class Americans

 

Author: CJ Darnieder

Bio:

CJ is a writer and musician from Chicago.  When he’s not practicing the divine art of stoicism, focusing on achieving a deafening inner quiet, or attempting to reconcile with the inherent powers of the universe, he loves to cook!

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