The holidays can be an expensive time of the year. Over the
next few weeks we’ll be posting some advice about how to make it through
without totally emptying your wallet - tips that have helped me out through several years as a poor college student and one as a poor college grad. To start us off, check out this list of ideas from Northstar! Being as many of you are artists some of these ideas are no-brainers for you (I know I've been drawing people their holiday gifts for years) but there are some good things on this list. Theirs is prettier, but for the sake of not making you click a ton of links and adding my own flair, here are their suggestions:
- Be artistic: instead of pulling out the plastic for another mindless purchase, pull out the glue stick. You'll have fun and the recipient will appreciate your attention to detail.
- Be musical: inexpensive and thoughtful, sharing music is better than ever. Use apps like nana or Ujam to make and share your own music or create a playlist and invite friends on the musx app.
- Write a love letter. This gift will last decades longer than anything you'll find at the mall.
- Write a heart-felt thank you note instead of a regular holiday card.
- Take a friend out for less with sites like livingsocial.com, groupon.com, or restaurant.com.
- If you can get outside, do it! Take a friend out on a clear night (they do happen in Washington) and go stargazing.
- Be blatantly endearing. Giving a friend oranges with a note that says "Orange you glad we're friends" is only acceptable at the holidays. Unless you're the kind of person who can pull it off all year 'round, in which case totally go for it all the time.
- Throw a sampling of single serving warm drinks into a thrift-store-find mug (hint: a little spice in some cheap hot chocolate makes for some gourmet-level gifts on the cheap).
- Feed stomachs! $10 gets you a share of a goat through Heifer International (heifer.org). They'll find a family who will enjoy its milk and cheese and you'll give a gift that keeps on giving!
- Take some time for yourself. Seriously. Put yourself first for a few minutes each day with your favorite stress-free activity, no matter how busy you are.
What are some of your holiday season money concerns? Any
ideas you’d like to share with your classmates? Let us know!
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