How to be a Birthday Present Buying Goddess…
on September 11, 2012 at 5:16 pmADD brain attempts to control many facets of my life. In most cases I would like to believe that, with the assistance of OCD brain, we are able to thwart her mindless intentions. Post-it notes, wall calendars and an occasional ink pen to the palm can usually manage to keep my flitting memory somewhat on track. There is one thing, though… that I shall always suck at. The timely purchasing of a proper birthday present.
I could honestly get in my car and drive straight to the Outlet Malls while screaming repeatedly “BUY YOUR NIECE A BIRTHDAY PRESENT!” I could enter the pre-determined store, wearing a T-shirt with an iron-on picture of my pre-selected gift. I could see the gift, physically have the gift in my hands and walk to the cash register with the gift. What happens after that, is a mystery. All I know is that I eventually find myself back at home… clutching a warm box of In and Out burgers. Gift-less. I supposed that I could give her a burger… but, I’m hungry… and still gift-less.
Always gift-less… by the way, a 20 dollar bill wrapped in a Wal-Mart bag doesn’t count as a real present. Nice try though…
So imagine my delight when I was introduced to the website “NerdWallet” …. because shit, if I’m gonna be late (and I will) I should probably at least try to save some money in the process. *More In and Out burgers for me*
Introducing… today’s Guest Post, from John at NerdWallet!
Saving Money on Last Minute Birthday Presents
That moment when you realize it’s your (Insert: relative, friend, husband, acquaintance, etc.)’s birthday tomorrow and it just hit
you like an evangelical calling, but worse! We’ve all been there… or at least I like to think so. This realization is often followed by a brief period of chaos – for some this may induce relentless rage, sporadic swearing or a tenacious tantrum, but the best solution is just to remain calm. The embarrassment of your forgetfulness is near, but it’s not too late!
A last minute birthday present is a present nonetheless. So don’t fret, it could be the best gift ever if you put some thought into it. Depending on the birthday boy/girl, you can find the perfect gift and keep your wallet fat. It’s all about deals, coupons, and a few handy techniques to maximize your savings. However, it’s up to you to find the perfect present.
A great way to save time and money, along with the hassle of desperately running around from store to store, is to look online. Almost all stores, especially for children, offer various promotions on their website. By spending a few minutes researching some stores you’re interested in, you will discover plenty of deals and coupons.
A great example is Toys-R-Us – weekly deals on anything from action figures to board games are on sale, just in time for that last minute birthday present. A few other sales I came across were cyber (online only), brand-specific and end-of-summer clearance. You should look here for valuable discounts in order to cut the cost of that precious gift. Combine clearance sales or store-wide sales with Toys-R-Us coupons and save a boatload.
Other great resources exist as well to find that gem of a gift on sale. Target has hundreds of Target coupons online that you can print out and use in store. They also have daily deals and hold an on-going clearance sale. The “all the deals” section under the “see more” tab on the toolbar conveniently lists every promotion the store has to offer – you’re bound to find something amidst all of the sales.
One additional perk not to be overlooked is in store pick-up – you can order online to save time/money/hassle and pick up the item in person that same day. This way you can seek out deals and utilize online coupons, as well as avoid pricey shipping costs and a week long wait. This is the best way to minimize time spent looking and maximize your savings through online promotions.
I hope these tips save you from a miserable meltdown on the dawn of a birthday, and maybe serve as a reminder to mark your calendar for important events (just saying). But your gift recipient better be happy with what he or she gets! It ain’t easy pulling it off at the last minute.
Related articles
