Every parent wants to spoil his or her children at every age, but as they grow bigger, so do the price tags for those gifts. You don’t have to practice restraint when it comes to
Every parent wants to spoil his or her children at every age, but as they grow bigger, so do the price tags for those gifts. You don’t have to practice restraint when it comes to showering your family with presents, however; you just have to know where to find the most luxurious items for the most affordable prices. Here’s a tutorial in how to get exclusive presents for your children.
These days, no age is too early to introduce your little ones to technology, but all these fancy toys may have you stretching your budget as a parent who wants nothing but the best for his or her child. If you’re looking into getting baby’s first e-reader or a gift for an older child, such as a digital camera, video game console, or a notebook computer, there’s a way to go about it that won’t break the bank.
The first rule of shopping for electronics is to pay attention to the product specifications. Just because something boasts a bigger and better spec doesn’t mean that’s the one you should buy. Take into account how your child will use the product and for how long. There’s no need in buying a computer optimised for graphic design if your children are only going to use it to write school essays and do homework, for example.
Waiting for opportune times to buy electronics is also a great way to save a lot of money. Keen dates for parents to get the toys that their kids want for less include Black Friday (the Friday after the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday gives several UK retailers reason to drop prices) and the months following a company’s release of a newer, improved version of its product.
Many parents are wary of buying expensive clothing for their children because they will either grow out of their new designer apparel too fast or they are prone to ruining it with stains. However, if you know where to look for luxury clothing at a discount, you can give the gift they really want without fretting over the financial aspect of it. Searching for lightly used (or sometimes brand new) designer clothes at thrift stores in affluent neighbourhoods is the best way to find expensive items for much less than the ticket price. You can also try going online and checking directly with the retailer site to find discounts that in-store shoppers aren’t privy to. Sites like Achica and Amazon are good places to start.
And what if the gift that your children have really asked for was an elaborate holiday that involves quite a bit more planning than boarding the Channel Tunnel? If you’re looking at what could be an expensive family trip (think of flying the entire gang to Australia, or maybe to Japan), there are also ways to get to your destination for less. First, don’t use a travel agent; you can stay informed of exactly what you are going to do and use your planning experience as a way to increase the excitement factor of your trip. This is an easy way to save up to £200. You should also consider other cost-saving measures, such as signing up for an airfare deals site that alerts you when cheap tickets become available and opting to stay in a hostel instead of a hotel.
Now that you know the secret that every parent needs to survive gift-giving seasons like birthdays and Christmases, you can make every occasion a special one without overspending.
Guest post by Achica.