Buy Her the Perfect Gift Without Overspending

The advertisements on the radio around Mother's Day and Christmas make it seem like that special gift is so easy to find. We all know how we can impress her with beautiful diamond earrings or a gorgeous Mother's Day ring. Maybe you could buy her a cell phone or Ipod. With so many sales around holiday times, how could anyone have trouble picking out a gift? Yet many people do, for a very simple and overlooked reason: lack of money.

Let's face it: not everyone has a huge wad of cash in their pocket. The truth is that most people don't. While some people do have the cash to spare, many people have to take on credit card debt to 'afford' special occasions like anniversaries, birthdays, and holidays. What do you do if you don't have good credit? What if you're trying to avoid paying with credit, like a smart consumer should? It may seem like there's nothing you can do to make her day special without cash, but that's untrue.

We do indeed love jewelry, flowers, and candy. These are classic gifts that never get old. A box of chocolates can cost about $10, and a dozen roses can be over $25. Don't even get me started on jewelry! These things don't have to cost much, though. You just have to be creative. We also crave new shoes and love new outfits. Yes, you can get those things without spending a whole lot, too. How? I'll tell you.

First off, there are some stores that are great for these occasions. Wal-mart sells rings of all sizes for less than $10, and you can buy a cute pair of earrings at the dollar store for less than $5. She won't care that its cubic zirconia, not diamonds; she'll love having something new to wear that symbolizes your love. A box of chocolates at Wal-Mart is only about $7, and you'll spend even less at a dollar store. Wal-mart also has floral bouquets for less than $5. Before you despair, check your local Wal-mart for a good buy.

Creativity will be far more impressive though. Instead of buying her another heart-shaped box of chocolates, why not get a $1 ten-pack of her favorite candy bar? Jelly Belly jelly beans are a trifle more expensive than regular jelly beans, but they taste fantastic and still aren't that expensive. I'm partial to Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers, which sell for only seventy-eight cents a bag at Wal-mart. Instead of buying her a bouquet, why not buy a six-pack of her favorite flowers that she can plant? They'll cost only $2.50, and they will last her all spring and summer. Is it winter? Buy a pretty plant that will flourish indoors, like a gorgeous violet.

Don't underestimate thrift stores. They have so much to offer! Does she need a new sweater? Browse through an enormous selection, and find a soft, attractive, gently-used piece for less than $5! You can find scarves, night shirts, all kinds of clothes. They also sell unique jewelry, old movies, knick-knacks. Buy a stylish picture-frame, and put your favorite picture of you as a couple or family in it for her to have. She'll treasure it. Has it been years since she saw her favorite childhood flick? Buy a copy on VHS, if you have a VCR. Thrift stores are wonderful places. If you have a good eye she won't even be able to tell its second-hand. She probably won't mind either.

It's okay to shop at pawn shops! They have jewelry, electronics, musical instruments. If you can afford it, go for it. If not, take a look at their DVD collection. Buy one she hasn't seen in a while. They often sell CDs very cheap. You may not get the case, and you may have to look a while to find one that is in good condition. She'll listen to it, though, and she'll enjoy it. Buy her something she liked as a child or a collection of her favorite hits. You can find many neat things in pawn shops, even costume jewelry that won't cost much at all.

Look for sales. Use coupons. If you're military, ask for the discount. Buy inexpensive alternatives to popular expensive gifts. These are some of many ways you can save money when spending. What if you don't have any money though? What if you really are flat broke? Or scrapping and saving for a cruise next year? You can still give her that fancy, candle-lit dinner. You just have to be creative.

Can't buy a card? Write her a letter. Tell her what she means to you. Recall your favorite memories of her. Write her a poem or song doing the same, for an even more creative spin on this idea. If you're not too good at this, let other people say it. Make her a CD or mix-tape of songs that remind you of her. No money for flowers? Take her to the park when the flowers are in full-bloom. This is a great place to give her your heartfelt letter. Is a fancy dinner out of the question? Cook for her, and light some candles at home. Don't forget to do the dishes! If you can't afford candy, bake her a batch of her favorite cookies.

If you are one of those people that don't have one hundred or even twenty dollars to spend, don't despair. There are so many things you can do that will make her day special. It's not the price that counts; it's the thought. There are so many wonderful gifts you can give the special lady in your life that cost hardly anything at all. No matter who she is, there are some things every woman will appreciate that don't cost much at all. All you have to do is be a little creative in where you shop and what you buy. What can you give her that costs nothing? Think about it. Show her how thoughtful you really are.