Holiday Crunch
Dear Dr. Per Cap:
I blew through my whole holiday budget and still need a few gifts for friends and family. Any cheap gift ideas?
Signed,
Holiday Scrambler
Dear Scrambler,
Nothing says “Merry Christmas” like an I-O-U note stuffed in a stocking.
Relax. My idea isn’t that tacky. Get on your laptop or grab a nice sheet of paper and a pen and create some personalized I-O-U coupons that won’t cost you a dime today or tomorrow.
Got a friend with a dog? Make a coupon for a few free dog walks. It’ll only set you back a couple of hours and who knows – you might enjoy spending time with a faithful pet you don’t have to feed every day.
How about a spouse or parent who could use a break from household chores? They’ll be sure to appreciate a handful of coupons for free dishwashing, lawn cutting, vacuuming, or garage cleaning. Well, maybe garage cleaning is taking it a bit too far, but you get the idea.
Or maybe you have a romantic partner who values your time more than any item you could buy in a store or online. Never fear. A coupon for an evening stroll or a foot massage might be the perfect gift for that special snag.
You got this. Use your imagination and create an I-O-U for everyone still on your shopping list. And if you need a little artistic inspiration, here’s a sample certificate to fill out and clip.
Who says no one writes checks anymore?
Ask Dr. Per Cap is a program funded by First Nations Development Institute with assistance from the FINRA Investor Education Foundation. For more information, visit www.firstnations.org. To send a question to Dr. Per Cap, email askdrpercap@firstnations.org.