The Ultimate Frugal Gift Guide

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Frugal gifting often gets a bad reputation. However, this shopping method does not make you cheap — it makes you practical. Frugal gifts often avoid waste and overspending and can be just as meaningful (if not more so) as any other present.

With the National Retail Federation predicting each consumer this holiday season to spend upwards of $1,000 on holiday gifts amidst an economic recession —this year might be the perfect time to reconsider your spending budget. We've formulated the ultimate list of frugal gift-giving ideas to get you started.

Baked Goods

Cookie exchanges have become a tradition throughout America — so there's no reason gifting homemade food can't also be an acceptable gift during the holidays. Gifting someone with homemade food not only saves you money but, more importantly, shows you took the time and care to make something and that it has the most important ingredient in any recipe: love.

Try this: Fill mason jars with everything needed to make cookies, pancakes, or hot cocoa and decorate with some festive swag.

Experiences

Jess and Rory in Gilmore Girls Giphy

A few years ago, my aunt gifted my children season passes to our local zoo. It was the best gift I never knew my children were missing. Gifting experiences, rather than material possessions, is a great example of frugal gift-giving. Some examples are season pass admissions to museums or zoos, even tickets, movie passes, and much more.

Try this: Admission to zoos or museums, event tickets, or movie passes.

Donations to Charity

A sure-fire way to feel frugal about your spending this holiday season, a charity donation in lieu of gifts is something almost everyone can appreciate. Make it personal by specifying donations to charities near and dear to the gift recipient.

Try this: Given the current health environment throughout the country, donating to Doctors Without Borders, the nonprofit organization that provides medical aid where it's needed most.

Regifting

Seinfeld regifter

The regifter has long been given a bad name, such as in the famous Seinfeld regifter episode. But there's nothing wrong with passing along something pre-owned that someone else can use.

Try this: Everyone loves candles, and there is a good chance you have an unburnt candle somewhere in the house.

Socks and Underwear

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It was ingrained in my brain throughout my adolescence that getting socks or underwear for Christmas was the worst possible gift. I have come to realize, however, that these essentials are probably one of my favorite gifts to receive, as it's something I always need and rarely take the time to buy myself.

Try this: If you want to impress them with your undergarment shopping abilities, impress them with a new pair of socks or underwear from MeUndies.

Subscription

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The gift that keeps on giving, a subscription gift is something to be enjoyed long after Christmas. From books and magazines to streaming subscriptions, it's easy to find a subscription service tailored perfectly for every person on your list.

Try this: For the coffee lover, try a subscription to Trade Coffee.

Grocery Store Gift Card

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No one has ever been mad about receiving a grocery store gift card for a present. To save money, check local grocery stores that might have gift card specials.

Gift Your Time

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As Benjamin Franklin put it in 1747, "Lost time is never found again." Since our time is such a valuable gift, it is the perfect way to show your friends and family you care.

Try this: For the friend that cooks dinner for the family every night, give them a voucher to make them a full course meal so they get a break one night.

Gifts from the Garden

Bob's Burgers Giphy

As people spend more time at home this year, more people are turning to gardening from home, and there's no better time to turn your outdoor garden or plants from the store into a frugal gift this holiday season.

Try this: These mason jar wall planters are perfect for the DIY enthusiast to recreate and would look amazing on a kitchen wall holding cooking herbs.

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Where to Donate to Support Afghanistan and Haiti

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NBC

Over the past month, both Haiti and Afghanistan have been pummeled by tragic disasters that left devastation in their wake.

In Haiti, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake erupted, leading over to 2,189 deaths and counting. A few hours later, in Afghanistan, Kabul fell to the Taliban just after U.S. troops had pulled out after 20 years of war.

In many ways, these disasters are both chillingly connected to US interference. The United States invaded Haiti in 1915, ostensibly promising to restore order after a presidential assassination but really intending to preserve the route to the Panama Canal and to defend US creditors, among other reasons.

But the US forces soon realized that they were not able to control the country alone, and so formed an army of Haitian enlistees, powered by US air power and intended to quell Haitian insurrection against US controls. Then, in 1934, the US pulled out on its own, disappointed with how slow progress was going. Haiti's institutions were never really able to rebuild themselves, leaving them immensely vulnerable to natural disasters.

Something similar happened in Afghanistan, where the US sent troops and supported an insurgent Afghan army – only to pull out, abandoning the country they left in ruins, with many Afghans supporting the Taliban.

In both cases, defense contractors benefited by far the most from the conflict, making billions in profits while civilians faced fallout and devastation. While the conflicts and circumstances are extremely different and while the US is obviously not solely to blame for either crisis, it's hard not to see the US-based roots of these disasters.

Today, in Haiti and Afghanistan, civilians are facing unimaginable tragedy.

Here are charities offering support in Afghanistan:

1. The International Rescue Committee is looking to raise $10 million to deliver aid directly to Afghanistan

2. CARE is matching donations for an Afghanistan relief fund. They are providing food, shelter, and water to families in need; a donation of $89.50 covers 1 family's emergency needs for a month.

3. Women for Women International is matching donations up to 500,000 for Afghan women, who will be facing unimaginable horrors under Taliban control.


4. AfghanAid offers support for people living in remote regions of Afghanistan.

5. VitalVoices supports female leaders and changemakers and survivors of gender-based violence around the world.

Here are charities offering support in Haiti:

1. Partners in Health has been working with Haiti for a long time, and they work with the Department of Health rather than around them, which is extremely important in a charity.

2. Health Equity International helps run Saint Boniface Hospital, a hospital in Haiti close to the earthquake's epicenter.

3. SOIL is an organization based Haiti, "a local organization with a track record of supporting after natural disasters." They are distributing hygiene kits and provisions on the ground to hospitals and to victims of the earthquake.

4. Hope for Haiti has been working in emergency response in Haiti for three decades, and their team is comprised of people who live and work in Haiti. They focus on supporting children and people in need across Haiti.

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How the Beyoncé and Jay Z Controversy Shows Gen Z's Money Priorities

via Tiffany & Co.

When the new Tiffany's campaign was unveiled, reactions were mixed.

Tiffany's, the iconic jewelry brand which does not (despite what some might be misled to believe) in fact serve breakfast, featured Jay Z, Beyoncé, and a rare Basquiat painting in their recent campaign.

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How to Save Money on a Road Trip

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Stacker.com

Road trips can be a lot of fun — but they can also drain your wallet quickly if you aren't careful.

From high gas costs and park admission fares to lodging and the price of eating out every night, the expenses can add up quickly. But at the same time, it's very possible to do road trips cheaply and efficiently. Without the headache of worrying about how much money you're leaking, you can enjoy the open road a whole lot more. Here's how to save money on a road trip.

1. Prepare Your Budget, Route, and Packing List in Advance

If you want to save money on a road trip, be sure you're ready to go. Try to count up all your expenses before you hit the road and create a budget. It's also a good idea to plan your route in advance so you don't end up taking unnecessary, gas-guzzling detours. And finally, be sure to pack in advance so you don't find yourself having to buy tons of things you forgot along the way.

2. Book Cheap Accommodations — Or Try Camping

All those motel rooms can add up surprisingly quick, but camping is often cheap or free, and it's a great way to get intimate with the place you're visiting. You can check the Bureau of Land Management's website for free campsites. Freecampsite.com also provides great information on If you don't have a tent or don't want to camp every night, try booking cheap Airbnbs or booking hotels in advance, making sure to compare prices.

Camping camping road tripConde Nast Traveler

If you're planning on sleeping in your car, a few tips: WalMart allows all-night parking, as do many 24-hour gyms. (Buying a membership to Planet Fitness or something like it also gives you a great place to stop, shower, and recharge while on the road).

3. Bring Food From Home

Don't go on a road trip expecting to subsist on fast food alone. You'll wind up feeling like shit, and it'll drain your pocketbook stunningly quickly. Instead, be sure to bring food from home. Consider buying a gas stove and a coffee pot for easy on-the-go meals, and make sure you bring substantial snacks to satiate midday or late night cravings so you can avoid getting those late night Mickey D's expeditions.

Try bringing your own cooler, filling it with easy stuff for breakfast and lunch — some bread and peanut butter and jelly will go a long way. Bring your own utensils, plates, and napkins, and avoid buying bottled water by packing some big water jugs and a reusable water bottle. Alternatively, try staying at hotels or Airbnbs with kitchens so you can cook there.

4. Avoid Tolls

Apps like Google Maps and Waze point out toll locations, so be sure to avoid those to save those pennies. (If it takes you too far off route, you might have to bite the bullet and drive across that expensive bridge).

You can also save on parking fees by using sites like Parkopedia.

Road Trip Road TripThe Orange Backpack


5. Save on Gas

Gas can get pricy incredibly fast, so be sure that you're stopping at cheap gas stations. Free apps like GasBuddy help you find the most affordable gas prices in the area. Also, try going the speed limit on the highways — anything faster will burn through your tank. Be sure that you don't wait till you arrive at touristy locations or big cities to fill up.

6. Get a National Park Pass

All those parks can get really expensive really fast. If you're planning on visiting three or more parks, it's a great idea to get an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass. For $80 you can get into every National Park for one year.

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