tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237510488098484827.post8265847606157647154..comments2023-10-03T14:28:15.645-07:00Comments on Frugal Wife = Wealthy Life: Budgeting Software Giveaway (Carole)Carolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13361293553525222340noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237510488098484827.post-41164952967769487052010-10-09T20:45:04.029-07:002010-10-09T20:45:04.029-07:00Tom and I set a budget every year for what we can ...Tom and I set a budget every year for what we can spend on each other and our parents.Chelseahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00212957039414904251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237510488098484827.post-37378507921274266672010-10-09T10:10:28.559-07:002010-10-09T10:10:28.559-07:00We are the most frugal of the family which makes i...We are the most frugal of the family which makes it hard when it comes time for gift giving. But we just decide ahead of time how much we have to spend on each person and stick to it. We try to add really personal gifts for each person as well as making some gifts.Kathrynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01833326970613845216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237510488098484827.post-61171956469785384782010-10-07T21:14:28.239-07:002010-10-07T21:14:28.239-07:00our family is getting bigger and bigger as we all ...our family is getting bigger and bigger as we all get married and start having kids... last year, we started limiting the gifts to $40/couple(or family). We have an online spreadsheet where we put down gifts under $40, and people check them off for that couple when they buy it. it's like a christmas registry! it is so awesome. we have started putting away savings per month for christmas so that we don't have to take out a big amount during christmas time.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07841532986442573939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237510488098484827.post-46902280350188876982010-10-07T17:00:59.295-07:002010-10-07T17:00:59.295-07:00i'm with janssen - hubby and i don't excha...i'm with janssen - hubby and i don't exchange gifts. and we do the same thing with our kids - something to wear, something to read and something to play with. :) for friends and family i try to make lots of the gifts.BrittWilkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10487155592491235104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237510488098484827.post-58698988008116454992010-10-07T12:19:49.883-07:002010-10-07T12:19:49.883-07:00One of the ways we save is by doing sentimental gi...One of the ways we save is by doing sentimental gifts for our parents. Gone are the days of trying to all go in to get them a new camera or something else material... we now make memory books, frame old pictures, have the kids draw pics etc for both sets of parents. They LOVE them so much more than anything we could ever buy.Sammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08182263108343833894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237510488098484827.post-33904162504495217952010-10-07T06:13:53.816-07:002010-10-07T06:13:53.816-07:00I stick to the good old cash in envelope trick! I ...I stick to the good old cash in envelope trick! I put all of my budgeted gift money in an envelope, and when it's gone, i'm done shopping!Kellyhttp://simplykellyanne.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237510488098484827.post-25458526738094456492010-10-06T16:13:09.180-07:002010-10-06T16:13:09.180-07:00I was going to say what Lauree (Strong Family) sai...I was going to say what Lauree (Strong Family) said. I often use the gift cards I receive from credit card points as teacher gifts, gifts for siblings (we rotate names so only have to do one each year from my family and one from my husband's family), or for my nanny. I also start in the summer and slowly get things so my costs are spread over six months and not one.Corbett Familyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02920438534548292675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237510488098484827.post-19510389728401794582010-10-06T07:49:04.734-07:002010-10-06T07:49:04.734-07:00There are a lot of great ideas here, which is awes...There are a lot of great ideas here, which is awesome because I need all the help I can get keeping Christmas costs down. <br />This year I figured out that you can buy magazine subscriptions with your Delta/Northwest miles. Because we moved away from the NW hub we used to live, my miles are no longer accumulating and I don't have enough for a ticket, so I am buying everyone I know a subscription to Entertainment Weekly for Christmas. It costs me nothing more than the miles I already have and won't use anyway.Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09187554679583487835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237510488098484827.post-61295338730794881212010-10-05T12:28:59.542-07:002010-10-05T12:28:59.542-07:00In the past we have saved the rewards we get from ...In the past we have saved the rewards we get from our VISA/debit card until the end of the year to buy gift cards. We either give the gift cards as gifts or use them to buy gifts. So nice to do the bulk of your shopping for "free."Strong Family -https://www.blogger.com/profile/00149909766931323922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237510488098484827.post-55916587750064052082010-10-05T11:20:28.784-07:002010-10-05T11:20:28.784-07:00I buy everyone books for Christmas. It still requ...I buy everyone books for Christmas. It still requires some advance planning, to be sure, but some of the best books are relatively inexpensive. Because I do this every year, all year long I can come up with ideas and watch sales. That being said, I wanted to buy my dad a book last year that was $60. I talked myself out of it eventually, but I think this year I might have to come up with a maximum per book limit to avoid a repeat problem. I can't wait to see what everyone else does.Kimberlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07581699201036948204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237510488098484827.post-64320201563501791852010-10-05T10:43:41.133-07:002010-10-05T10:43:41.133-07:00start early! plus, i have a small group i need to ...start early! plus, i have a small group i need to buy for. the challenge is usually work gifts - must find something cheap but cute and not pointless! i am thinking peppermint bark, so delicious and always a hit. =)amylepperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00449021886845165706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237510488098484827.post-18925696263099436282010-10-05T10:36:15.676-07:002010-10-05T10:36:15.676-07:00Since we got married last summer we gave framed ph...Since we got married last summer we gave framed photos as gifts for our families (a hit!). We also did "family gifts" i.e. a gift basket for my brother & his family full of homemade goodies. I try to find sale items in advance and try to avoid spending money on "filler" items. However, I usually go overboard and at the last minute end up spending too much money. :(amber waves of grainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15847849885966311153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237510488098484827.post-29770055689485936732010-10-05T09:36:08.046-07:002010-10-05T09:36:08.046-07:00I try to keep my eyes open throughout the whole ye...I try to keep my eyes open throughout the whole year for potential gifts for family members. Other than that, I like to do lots of homemade items, using materials I already had around the house!Nataliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14919928377211376810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237510488098484827.post-28591638592734151652010-10-05T09:08:30.919-07:002010-10-05T09:08:30.919-07:00Our problem is that my husband use to get a pretty...Our problem is that my husband use to get a pretty good bonus a week before Christmas. So we would wait for his bonus and then go do major shopping. Since my husband is in school we haven't gotten use to not receiving that bonus. Last year my husbands family did Christmas for us and they went way overboard. The hard thing will be explaining to the kids that Santa had to cut back this year because I think that the one present from Santa and one from us idea is great. Only the kids exchange on my husbands side and we aren't exchanging on my side since we are going on a cruise the first of the year.Tarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03841013189954236606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237510488098484827.post-69529758691989837832010-10-05T08:02:53.317-07:002010-10-05T08:02:53.317-07:00I wish I were more frugal but I have to be honest....I wish I were more frugal but I have to be honest....I tend go nutty at Christmas and overbuy. I'm not proud about that, just honest.<br /><br />I'm starting my baby steps toward being more frugal. As silly as this sounds, my main goal for Christmas is not to buy anything at full price. <br /><br />Hopefully, next Christmas I can be more like the other readers and start making things :)Smart Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18354345522240956554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237510488098484827.post-2917539392348283532010-10-05T06:15:35.466-07:002010-10-05T06:15:35.466-07:00We set up a budget spreadsheet each year so we can...We set up a budget spreadsheet each year so we can track exactly how much we want to spend on each person we are giving to and then as we buy gifts they are entered into the spreadsheet. Once we hit the amount, we're done! If we stay under, even better. I also start shopping months in advance so my purchases don't all hit at once and, when possible, I make things.Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03431612712657744264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237510488098484827.post-13413691941758641942010-10-05T05:56:43.509-07:002010-10-05T05:56:43.509-07:00We bake for friends. We save throughout the year ...We bake for friends. We save throughout the year and we don't buy to many presents for our kid.Pamela Early Settoonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06026823973301353820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237510488098484827.post-91579339452241589832010-10-05T03:19:37.933-07:002010-10-05T03:19:37.933-07:00My mom starts Christmas shopping in June or July, ...My mom starts Christmas shopping in June or July, so that she is not in a hurry and can find the best deals possible. Sites like Ebay typically get more expensive the closer to Christmas you get, but during the summer you can find things for much cheaper!Carolynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11264168632308469969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237510488098484827.post-48474792470255007552010-10-04T20:34:18.414-07:002010-10-04T20:34:18.414-07:00First of all, I REALLY hope I get picked because I...First of all, I REALLY hope I get picked because I could REALLY use that software. <br />Anyway, we're in grad school, so people don't expect much from us, which is great. But this year I do want to give gifts to those closest to us, so I've been watching some DIY blogs to find cute, easy, meaningful things to make. I'm excited!Ben and Summerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12082533290582197621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237510488098484827.post-17155931442438824332010-10-04T19:29:30.310-07:002010-10-04T19:29:30.310-07:00I use my "Well Being Rewards" gift cards...I use my "Well Being Rewards" gift cards my employer provides for exercising to fund some of our gifts.Barthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02891001107688768478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237510488098484827.post-2421170531296257862010-10-04T19:12:33.753-07:002010-10-04T19:12:33.753-07:00Normally for Christmas we draw names for mine and ...Normally for Christmas we draw names for mine and my husbands siblings, so there aren't too many gifts, but I know that it can still add up. I love to make fun things for the gifts I give away. <br />Thanks for the giveaway.HillsRushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09755766663990654730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237510488098484827.post-20388032446411035602010-10-04T19:12:04.381-07:002010-10-04T19:12:04.381-07:00I save money over the holidays by making gifts for...I save money over the holidays by making gifts for everyone.Mrs. Cariocahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15893947195222930369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237510488098484827.post-4543103304762599512010-10-04T18:21:45.649-07:002010-10-04T18:21:45.649-07:00I buy gifts for people year round as sales hit. Fo...I buy gifts for people year round as sales hit. For example, around June there was a home decor store in our area having a liquidation sale. I went just to browse but found a gift that would be great for my sister-in-law and it was super discounted. So I picked it up put it in my "gift box" which is where I keep all the great gift finds I pick up throughout the year.Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17676545568653344069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237510488098484827.post-8319897996828890412010-10-04T18:15:50.275-07:002010-10-04T18:15:50.275-07:00I LOVE Christmas but I try not to give to many gif...I LOVE Christmas but I try not to give to many gifts. My husband and I do a special service to each other and my kids get one present from us and one from Santa. and little things in their stockings. I never feel obligated to give a gift to anyone but when I do I like it to come from the heart. I usually end up making some - one year I crocheted afghans, Another year I hand painted signs for my brothers home...<br />We are really into birthdays though but I always make sure to save for those!They call me a Navy Wifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13089781695599892005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237510488098484827.post-58170142352534786782010-10-04T16:31:34.356-07:002010-10-04T16:31:34.356-07:00i try to buy stuff throughout the year when things...i try to buy stuff throughout the year when things go on sale. i also put money away with each check. with 5 kids to buy for, it sure eases the pain!<br /><br />btw... I LOVE THIS BLOG! thank you all for your dedication :)chelon:)https://www.blogger.com/profile/04435323766485937062noreply@blogger.com