Save Money On Gifts All Year Long

Don't forget that when giving gifts, it’s the thought that counts, not how much is spent. The real meaning of a gift has nothing to do with how much we spend, but how well that gift matches the recipient. With that in mind, it's easy to save money on just the right gift for those special people in your life.

Whether you need gifts for Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, or just to let someone know they are special, certain shopping tips make the buying and giving easier and help you save money. The first tip is to shop year 'round instead of waiting until the last minute. Keep a list of recipients and their individual interests, preferences, and sizes. Then while you are doing everyday errands, you can pick up gifts ahead of time when they are available at the best price. With this list in hand, take advantage of these money-saving tips:

Yard Sales. Don't reject yard or garage sales as a place to buy gifts. Many times you can find new items still in their unopened packaging. This type of sale is often the best place to find unusual items for the hard-to-buy-for. If your gift recipient has a penchant for a particular collectible, yard sales are the place to find unique additions to their collection for a very small price.

Regifting. How many times have you received a gift that just didn't suit you? Don't let it take up space and gather dust in the closet. Wrap it up and give it to someone on your list who would really use and appreciate it. It doesn't matter that you didn't spend money on it if it's something they would enjoy.

Sales. The age-old, no-brainer for saving money is a sale. Check your gift-recipient list and see what you can find for them at each sale you visit. After Christmas is a fantastic time to pick up deals. Two-for-one clearance sales save time as well as money; they let you buy gifts for two unrelated people at once.

Coupons and flyers. No need to wait for annual sales. Stores send out weekly sales flyers with savings on many items that are great for gift giving. Clipping coupons can save you money, too, especially if you use them in conjunction with a sale. Department stores often have newsletters with special discounts; you can sign up to receive them in your mailbox or by email.

Internet. The modern way to shop, searching the internet is a convenient way to shop for and save money on gifts. Read reviews to help you choose just the right model of an item. Compare prices with local stores and between online stores. Buy without paying sales tax in most cases. And even find online stores with free shipping.