BlogHer - Budgets - Comments

My mother (a retired

Expat Mum — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:00:14 -0600

My mother (a retired teacher) always advises giving something teachers can use or eat. They have enough trinkets to last a lifetime. I usually give lovely tubes of handcream (not too smelly) which can be picked up for a few dollars from Avon, TJ Maxx etc. (If they have an allergy at least it's nice enough to pass on to someone else.)

The most popular gift I give is a hand made scarf from the beautiful, fluffy yarns you can get at the fabric and craft stores. It costs between $5 and $10 and if you can knit in plain stitch, you can do it. Take a big pair of needles (I use size 15), cast on about 20 stitches and you're good to go.

For someone really special, you can then pick up (or make) a pair of beaded ear-rings to match.

That is too funny

sassymonkey — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:54:19 -0600

When I started reading this post I was totally thinking about those tile coasters on Skip To My Lou. lol

We didn't have to give to multiple teachers and really only did it until I got into junior high (seventh grade). So we spent a little bit more. It was usually a gift certificate to the restaurant my mother worked at (enough for one meal, which didn't cost so much at the time) accompanied by a rose.

Sassymonkey and Sassymonkey Reads.

thanks for chiming in

Mir Kamin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:03:16 -0600

I'm so grateful for the different perspectives we can get here, Rachel, because I've had so many teachers tell me the opposite! It's good to have the reminder that it's somewhat a matter of personal preference, and your best bet is always to ask (either obliquely or straight out, as is appropriate to your relationship). I think a lot of the teachers who ask for stuff "for the room" probably have received a lot of popsicle-stick creations. ;)

--
Mir Kamin (BlogHer contributing editor) Personal: Woulda Coulda Shoulda Having it all with less: Want Not

As a former teacher....

Rachel May — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:47:48 -0600

I can unequivocally say that my very favorite gifts are those that included a heartfelt note from the parent or student. After eight years of teaching (and I'm not teaching this year), I still pull out those notes when I'm having a rough day.

I'm not sure how to put this without seeming kind of rude, so I'm just going to throw it out there on behalf of other teachers, too -- I actually don't like getting gifts "for the classroom". I'd much rather receive a gift certificate to someplace for *me*! Granted, I was a high school teacher, so elementary teachers may feel differently.... but for my son's teachers, I'd rather give them something that's specifically for *them*, not for their students. It seems a bit backward, actually, to give something that will ultimately be for my kid instead of for the teacher.

My son and I will be mixing up huge batches of dry spiced tea and hot chocolate mix, and packaging it in fun jars -- very frugal and also something he can help make. I'll include a note, and ask him to dictate one, too.

Great Ideas!

SpinDiva — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:43:25 -0600

I love some of these ideas. Thanks for sharing, I better get to it or the end of school will be here in no time.

http://www.familyinshape.typepad.com http://w

'Round these parts...

alladither — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:27:06 -0600

...which is Seattle, we give coffee cards. Always in fashion. And they can be used for coffee, yes. Or tea, cocoa, maybe even a MUG!

Angie www.AllAdither.com www.HalfAssedKitchen.com

Buy bags!

Beverly Flaxington — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:20:44 -0600

I have three children involved in multiple activities (and don't forget the bus drivers) so there is no lack of people to "gift". I also buy on sale and stash away in my attic, but my newest favorite gift is to give those fold-up, foldout bags to use at the store instead of plastic. You can get sets of them for $10 for 3 at the www.animalrescuesite.com (and then I give each person one), or go on to a site like http://www.reusablebags.com/ and get adorable bags for $4.95 and up. They often have sales also. I have received rave reviews from recipients for these and I also feel like I am doing something good for the environment!

Beverly Flaxington

Blog: Dealing with Difficult People

Book: Understanding Other People: The Five Secrets

Adela www.theblacktortoise.co

TheBlackTortoise — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:11:26 -0500

Adela www.theblacktortoise.com

FAIL.

beautiful_genius_42 — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:35:21 -0500

I meant "saving" money. Not "having" money. Whoops.

Excellent

Virginia DeBolt — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:21:15 -0500

I went through to Women's Voices for Change and read your most excellent article, then tweeted and stumbled it.

Virginia DeBolt
BlogHer Technology CE | Web Teacher | First 50 Words

I have a first generation

AnExtendedVacation — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:41:26 -0500

I have a first generation Kindle on loan from a friend and I love it when I travel or want to go read in a coffee shop. I still buy some books in paper because I like books and there are some that I want to read in the book form. (Don't ask me to explain I really don't understand how I decide I want some books on my e-reader and others not)

When I was in college I would have killed to have all my books on an e-reader. I could have carried 8 textbooks everyday in a 1lb reader. My biology text alone weighed 8 lbs. It was horrible. So you have a huge text or two, your laptop and a purse. It gets tiring and it gave me alot of shoulder/back issues to lug that around. I always hoped my university would make the change over to e-books but it didn't happen before I graduated :-(

I'd probably not choose e-books

sassymonkey — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:57:00 -0500

Not to study off of, for a variety of reasons. One being that I just like books but what about theft? If someone stole (or if you lost) your e-book reader you'd be screwed. If you lose a book you lose that book. If you lose a reader...well...you lose everything. But maybe I'm just paranoid. lol

I like e-books. I do. But I'd never buy anything as an e-book that wouldn't want to lose. Just too much can happen with an ebook reader. Yep, I don't just technology. There, I said it. lol

Sassymonkey and Sassymonkey Reads.

That is soo cool!

tjsmith — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:11:02 -0500

I love how you have learned to make the most of your life. You inspire me. You and your husband must be great friends.

TJ Smith

www.downturnliving.com

I always pack a lunch for

mnmrabbit — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 18:17:58 -0500

I always pack a lunch for work. Mostly becuz 1/2 hour doesn't give me much time to get somewhere to order then eat it and get back. Sandwiches or leftovers do well.

We rarely eat out but for Subway a couple times a week cuz it's good food and not expensive. Some people think that's crazy but I guess we'd make good advertising for them cuz we frequent them alot due to their wide selection of veggies and meats and freshly made bread.

It's hard to manage money in this hard economy right now. Since I had to get another car, our payment is $90 more than my other car payment and insurance $20 more. Ouch in paycheck status. But money in envelopes work as I collect $60 total from paychecks to help out on week I make my car payments. Money in envelopes $20 a paycheck for later use, when $ gets tight, use for out of town trips. It helps. We've not used credit cards lately. Got a new card with lower interest rate and no yearly fee. One credit card will get paid off by new card and closed. 13.99% vs 9.99% a good deal!

We live how we are comfortable, less entertainment than most. Wait til movie you want to see comes out on a dvd. Make really good food at home. I love my Everyday with Rachael Ray magazine. My husband loves the really good dinners I've been making. After 32 years of cooking, I've learned how to make better sauces becuz of Rach. I know some people don't like her but she's an inspiration to me!!! I make enough in my meals that there are leftovers for lunches and a dinner for my husband who works a late shift. We got cable tv this year becuz we have a digital tv and don't have many choices of channels where we live without it. So my husband can find alot to watch. He loves the Myth Busters and we like Stargate and StarTrek (old), some things on Animal Planet. So we can find good older movies on there sometimes as well.

We live within our means and don't worry about what other people think. It's our pocketbook, not theirs. That's my story and I'm sticking to it! :0)

Becky Lowmaster http://grandmabeckyl.blogspot.com

We use Quicken too.

SpendWiselyTexas@gmail.com — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:13:26 -0500

My husband and I have used Quicken since we moved in together. It made saving fun and we were able to clearly see what we needed to do to meet our goals. Once you see the hard, cold numbers you never want them to go down.

________________

Spend Wisely Texas - a site reviewing budget friendly things to do and buy in Texas

Move To Houston Answers - All you need to know about moving to Houston, Texas