Gift Bags are a Rip Off.

Gift bags are one of the biggest rip offs of all time.  You can pay up to $7 at a big chain store for a paper gift bag and some tissue.  Can you say "Big Rip Off?"

Go to the dollar store and buy a gift bag for $1.  Buy a package of neutral (white) tissue for the gift bag.  This will allow you to recycle future gift bags with new tissue paper that doesn't clash.

Why am I telling you this?  Because I hate wrapping gifts, and happen to think that the gift bag, while one of the biggest rip-offs, is also one of our greatest inventions.  And if you give me a Christmas gift in a gift bag, you may see that same gift bag next Christmas.

Also, I never write my name on the label on the gift bag.  I view the gift bag to be part of the gift--the opportunity for the recipient to recycle it on someone else.  Plus, I save the Justin Bieber and iCarly bags for my friends.

You just saved $6.




Sincerely,

The Frugal Maestro

Disclaimer

Christmas Trees - Go Artificial

There are Real Christmas Tree people, and Artificial Christmas Tree people.  It all depends on how you were raised, who in the marriage has the stronger opinion, etc.

Every year, people make a tradition out of cutting down a tree in the snowy woods, or haggling with some Christmas Tree dealer in a lot somewhere.  Prices vary by region, but larger trees generally cost $60 to $80, and smaller trees generally cost $35 to $50.  The tree lasts a few weeks, and the needles fall out, and you throw it out.  The following year, you spend $60 to $80 again, and repeat until you die.

I grew up with the almighty artificial tree.  I bought my tree on 12/26/1996 at Kmart for $50 (half-off Christmas decorations).  You can spend in upwards of $600 for a beautiful artificial tree.  I checked the websites for Kmart, Walmart, Lowes, and Home Depot.  All have nice artificial trees ranging from $50 to $200.  Amazon has trees ranging from $30 to ... (plus shipping).

That's a one time expense.  Heck, my Grandfather, in his later years, stored his decorated tree away in a closet.

It's a question of sentimentality versus cost.  You can save $80 a year after that one initial investment.  Check Kmart or Walmart or Lowes or Home Depot on December 26th.  Maybe Amazon will have some deals too.

That's a savings of up to $80 a year.

Sincerely,

The Frugal Maestro

Disclaimer