Comments on: Why Am I Unpopular at Christmas?

By: Madison

Madison — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 21:19:29 +0000

@ Debbie: Stock certificates are a great idea! I think I’ll add this to the list in the future for my kids.

By: Debbie M

Debbie M — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 15:01:29 +0000

You might want to go 50/50. Spend the same money, but put half toward what you want ($50 today = 20K at retirement) and half toward toys. A lot of the toys that last the longest aren’t expensive

And stock certificates ARE fun to open – you can wrap them the same as any other present. Give a notebook or some other place where they can store these.

Their appreciation for your favorite gifts will increase as they age, although they may or may not spend the money wisely.

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Thu, 03 Jan 2008 05:32:52 +0000

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MONEY CLIPPED » Carnival of Money Stories # 40 at Money Walks — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 21:08:23 +0000

[...] Why Am I Unpopular at Christmas? at My Dollar Plan- Sweet baby Jesus, I wish someone had given me presents like this when I was young! [...]

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Wed, 02 Jan 2008 08:06:30 +0000

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By: Madison

Madison — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 04:54:43 +0000

@ Mike: That is wonderful for your son! I think we crossed the “too many toys” threshold the day after our first son was born!

By: FourPillars

FourPillars — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 20:54:59 +0000

That’s too bad that the grandparents aren’t into your great ideas for gifts. Luckily my son’s grandparents are totally into anything which represents savings and investments such as educational funds.

Toys are fun but how many do they need?

Mike

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Sunday Money Roundup - Right Before Christmas Edition. | My Two Dollars — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 15:01:16 +0000

[...] Dollar Plan asks “Why Am I Unpopular at Christmas?” Curious, aren’t [...]

By: Madison

Madison — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 03:36:37 +0000

@Lost Cause: Great idea. I’m much more of a library book person myself, but financial books would be a great gift.

@Enough Wealth: I’m very impressed with your son’s retirement account and I want to hear more about it!

By: Are You Giving the Gift of Consumerism? | Moolanomy

Are You Giving the Gift of Consumerism? | Moolanomy — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 14:02:50 +0000

[...] Why Am I Unpopular at Christmas? @ My Dollar Plan [...]

By: Enough Wealth

Enough Wealth — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 12:37:36 +0000

I gave my eldest sister an investment book last year and she was fine with that. The younger sister is a lost cause in terms of fiscal responsibility, so I just bought her a computer game when it was on sale mid-year.

My seven-year-old son has more than enough toys, so he’s happy to get a few token toys for us at Christmas time. His grandparent’s will still get him too many expensive gifts, but I’m not going to be able to change that.

I don’t begrudge him getting some more toys at Christmas time – he spends half an hour or so busking with his recorder most Sunday afternoons (after his piano lesson). He usually earns around $20 each session (up to $50 in the weeks before Christmas) and he saves all the money he earns! Once a year I transfer $1000 of his earnings into his retirement account.

My parent’s still insist on giving me a Christmas present, so for the past couple of years I’ve requested a silver “proof” coin as a present. It’s not too expensive, and it’s bullion value is around half the cost so it has some long term wealth. As a “collectible” coin it may even be worth more than it cost after a few years.

Regards
http://enoughwealth.com

By: Lost Cause

Lost Cause — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 08:35:23 +0000

I don’t trade in books, so I can’t recommend anything in particular. A hardcover first edition, signed and inscribed by the author, with a dust jacket. Collectors must have the dust jacket. Sort of like an art purchase, but cheaper. You are gonna buy the books anyway, right?

By: Madison

Madison — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 04:38:58 +0000

@Dave: The ideas were vetoed by my husband, not by the actual recipients. Either way, maybe I just might contribute anyways!

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 03:55:30 +0000

Since when do people get to veto what gifts *you* give *them*?
I’d say give ‘em stock or contribute to the IRA anyway, and let them thank you later, when they have a $10k investment portfolio instead of a basement full of old toys they outgrew!

By: Madison

Madison — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 03:32:12 +0000

@Paid Twice: Grandparents will be grandparents!

@Lost Cause: Great idea… Do you have any that you recommend?