Two days ago was my birthday and I noticed that my attitude has changed recently towards my gifts. I do appreciate receiving them, however I don't place as much importance on them as I used to.
This last birthday I found that taking a day off from work was a better gift than letting everyone at work know it was my birthday. I learned that if a family member forgets to get me something, it isn't a big deal any longer and them remembering with a happy birthday is a gift as well. Ultimately, I have found that the quantity of birthday wishes and gifts are inferior to the quality of time and the few heartfelt birthday wishes. I like this change and it only took 36 years to understand.
I've written a couple of posts on gift giving : 7 Ways to Give Gifts for Less Money and My Cheap Minor League Baseball Tickets but the best gifts are those that have been submitted for this weeks Festival of frugality 180; there are 50 chosen from the over 70 submitted.
You can submit yours for next week (hosted by Personal Finance Analyst)
Hosts Choice:
{These are the posts that pulled me in with interest}
Darren wrote about My Chest Fridge Conversion - "A little bit of wiring is required to set up the digital temperature controller. It’s basically a temperature sensor that can switch a 240v power supply on or off"
Katheryn submitted Buying a Car for $500 (Not a Typo) - "To prove that you can find a reliable ride for just hundreds of dollars, Hedgecock bought a 1974 Pontiac LeMans via his site for just $899 and then drove it cross-country from his hometown of San Diego all the way to Miami"
J. Money wrote on The Price of Faith: Muslim & Jewish Financial Challenges - "I am thoroughly impressed after reading some of these stories. While the Christian portion of the article was pretty interesting, I'm going to stick to the Muslim & Jewish differences here as they stood out the most to me."
Kelly submitted her post I’m Not Always Frugal - "I feel like I should feel guilty, for spending money on myself when we don’t have a lot of extra money to spare. I don’t though. I wonder what that means."
Housing:
How to Compare Mortgage Refinance Offers
Help a Reader: Keep the House or Save for Retirement?
Get those estimates!
Refinancing Answers
Urban Homesteading- Raising Backyard Chickens on the Rise
The Budgets are the Basics:
Budgeting – The Key to Finding Extra Money You Didn’t Realize You Have
Working Out A Family Budget Will Help You Save Money
Squeezing More Savings Out of Your Budget
Monthly Expenses: April 2009
Making Money:
How to Get a Job with the Federal Government
23 ways for teens to make money and maybe adults too!
Easy Ways to Generate Cash
Best High Interest Savings Accounts In Online Banking
Finding the Free:
Free Summer Activities for our Four Year Old
I am the Queen of Free
Creating a Cookbook for a Wedding Present
Be A Survivor: How To: FREE Or Almost FREE Entertainment
Looking Forward:
How to Save Money on Your Wedding
My Kid Starts College In September & My Savings Are Gone. Now What?
Saving Money is at the Heart:
How achieving an ideal BMI will save us money
Save Money on TV
5 Ways to Make Saving Money a Lifestyle
Why Saving is Like Shredding
Do It Yourself and Save – Boat Ownership
Our 50% Savings Success
How I Saved $85 Dollars On $110 in Gift Certificates
Help A Shopaholic Manage A Shopping Addiction
5 Money Rules from Liz Weston
Want A Lower Bill? Ask For It
Looking for Deals:
Frugal shopping
Vintage Fine China
Pathetic Propane Portions
Time Banking: The Next Generation of Bartering
Netbook Computers: The Frugal Laptop Alternative That Won’t Break The Bank
Late Night Energy Examination
Groceries and Coupons:
Saving on Groceries by Doubling Up Coupons
Going Once, Twice, Sold! Save BIG Money at Grocery Auctions
The Truth about Online Dillard’s Coupons
The Other Things We Miss:
In Defense of Frugality
Memories From A Frugal European Upbringing
397 Ways To Save Money - Squawkfox Book Review
How an Inflation Threat Could Make the 1970s Look Like Happy Days
How to Find Affordable Health Insurance Online
He Said She Said Finances
UNBROKE: What You Need to Know about Money
When Is It Okay to Give?
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Thank you for hosting the carnival and including my post. I don't place a lot of significance in birthday gifts either. Of course, presents are nice, but having expectations can too easily lead to disappointment.
I hope your birthday was full of sweet memories and love!
~Ranae
You are welcome... expectations certainly do lead to a sad day. And my birthday was wonderful, thanks.
~Flea
You are welcome.
Definitely going to have to agree. I'd rather have a day off to spend with my girls and my husband over diamond earrings. Don't get me wrong, I'll gladly accept the earrings, but time with my family is more important!
But Diamonds are the Girls best friends :)