The Money Mustache Community
Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: Bracken_Joy on March 01, 2015, 05:49:06 PM
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My birthday is coming up, and I live in a very small apartment so I don't have room for "stuff". My family insists on buying presents, and thinks gift cards are "tacky". It's hard to ask for "experience" items like concert tickets or pottery class coupons (whatever, just an example) because SO and I are both too busy to *use* those things, and it seems awful for them to go to waste. I always used to ask for books, but I'm out of room and haven't had as much time for reading lately.
What useful mustachian items do you ask for as gifts? When I asked my mom to get me the fancy shampoo I like, she rolled her eyes. I'm out of ideas.
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In the past I have asked for a high(er) quality chef's knife & paring knife. I am so pleased with these items every time I cook. Best. gift. ever.
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Is there any software you need? Do ebooks count as gifts or as gift cards in your family's opinion?
Fancy socks? Fancy gourmet food you would never buy for yourself? Fancy whiskey?
Any memberships you would otherwise pay for yourself?
If you're female, classic jewelry? Do you own a good string of pearls? Pearls are never wrong, whatever the situation; they're like a social get out of jail free card.
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My birthday is coming up, and I live in a very small apartment so I don't have room for "stuff". My family insists on buying presents, and thinks gift cards are "tacky". It's hard to ask for "experience" items like concert tickets or pottery class coupons (whatever, just an example) because SO and I are both too busy to *use* those things, and it seems awful for them to go to waste. I always used to ask for books, but I'm out of room and haven't had as much time for reading lately.
What useful mustachian items do you ask for as gifts? When I asked my mom to get me the fancy shampoo I like, she rolled her eyes. I'm out of ideas.
Happy birthday! Mine is the 4th, yay March babies :-)
What about a nice meal out? That's what my family usually ends up doing because I am definitely not a stuff person either.
Other than that, I usually evaluate what my expenditures will look like in the near future and see if they can contribute toward something I'd be buying anyway. Or maybe donations to a charity in your name?
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Scarves or other accessories to jazz up your wardrobe, help you stay warm or bridge seasons.
Perfume, body lotion, etc. (personal care consumables)
Chocolate, wine, cheese ( consumable consumables)
If you live in the same area, maybe a shared experience - pedicure, spa day, massage..) with the person giving the gift; or a group dinner out?
Small place - how about an ottoman with storage inside, or other storage solutions that help you use your limited space more efficiently?
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Is there any software you need? Do ebooks count as gifts or as gift cards in your family's opinion?
Fancy socks? Fancy gourmet food you would never buy for yourself? Fancy whiskey?
Any memberships you would otherwise pay for yourself?
If you're female, classic jewelry? Do you own a good string of pearls? Pearls are never wrong, whatever the situation; they're like a social get out of jail free card.
My parents are very much "send someone a physical item" type folks. They only got email within the past couple years. Tech is kinda voodoo in their opinion I think! I wonder if my siblings would be more accommodating though.
I definitely agree about the pearl, and have one white strand and one black strand =D
I did figure out a small hydration pack that would be awesome to have for hiking, so I've got one family member request down!
Thanks for the ideas!
To give everyone an idea of what I'm dealing with- I tried to ask for a new leash and harness for my dog and my sister said "it's your birthday, not hers". Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
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Consumable items?
When I'm at a loss with my parents I ask for gift cards but my mum is always adamant that she also give me something physical as well so I ask for nice foods, the kind of stuff I'd never buy myself. Gourmet chutneys, nice wine, spirits, chocolates, etc. Fancy scented body wash is another good one.
For a long time I asked for kitchen equipment but I have everything I could possibly need now.
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Consumable items?
When I'm at a loss with my parents I ask for gift cards but my mum is always adamant that she also give me something physical as well so I ask for nice foods, the kind of stuff I'd never buy myself. Gourmet chutneys, nice wine, spirits, chocolates, etc. Fancy scented body wash is another good one.
For a long time I asked for kitchen equipment but I have everything I could possibly need now.
The having everything I need is what I'm running into. I'll definitely have to put some work into making a list of consumables I like. Usually all I can think of are wines or whiskeys, and I'm worried people are thinking I'm an alcoholic. I probably just need to be less picky. Part of why I'm resistant is they always get the "wrong" things. If I ask for nice dark chocolate, it's hershey's, etc.
Maybe I will ask for perfume. I don't own any.
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I usually ask for household items that have worn out. In that vein, for Christmas we received:
-Mattress pad
-Measuring cup
-Pair of shoes
-Measuring tape
-Dog toy (for the dog, not for us)
Seems silly, but maybe walk around your house and see what might need replacing? I never think I need anything until I realize that we're using a broken measuring cup, etc :)
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I usually ask for household items that have worn out. In that vein, for Christmas we received:
-Mattress pad
-Measuring cup
-Pair of shoes
-Measuring tape
-Dog toy (for the dog, not for us)
Seems silly, but maybe walk around your house and see what might need replacing? I never think I need anything until I realize that we're using a broken measuring cup, etc :)
Ooooooh I don't have a mattress pad. Hmmmmmm. There's an idea.
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I usually ask for household items that have worn out. In that vein, for Christmas we received:
-Mattress pad
-Measuring cup
-Pair of shoes
-Measuring tape
-Dog toy (for the dog, not for us)
Seems silly, but maybe walk around your house and see what might need replacing? I never think I need anything until I realize that we're using a broken measuring cup, etc :)
Ooooooh I don't have a mattress pad. Hmmmmmm. There's an idea.
Haha, yes! I love mine! I'm just imagining how much longer my mattress will last now :)
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Consumable items?
When I'm at a loss with my parents I ask for gift cards but my mum is always adamant that she also give me something physical as well so I ask for nice foods, the kind of stuff I'd never buy myself. Gourmet chutneys, nice wine, spirits, chocolates, etc. Fancy scented body wash is another good one.
For a long time I asked for kitchen equipment but I have everything I could possibly need now.
The having everything I need is what I'm running into. I'll definitely have to put some work into making a list of consumables I like. Usually all I can think of are wines or whiskeys, and I'm worried people are thinking I'm an alcoholic. I probably just need to be less picky. Part of why I'm resistant is they always get the "wrong" things. If I ask for nice dark chocolate, it's hershey's, etc.
Maybe I will ask for perfume. I don't own any.
+1
I did this for a while by asking for nice bottles of alcohol vs. junk I'd never use.
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Would you be interested in a Bidet? I started with a basic $40 one and then upgraded to a 'fancier' $200 one with heated water. Definitely one of the best items I purchased in the last 5 years! It's my anti-mustachian luxury item but totally worth it.
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Would you be interested in a Bidet? I started with a basic $40 one and then upgraded to a 'fancier' $200 one with heated water. Definitely one of the best items I purchased in the last 5 years! It's my anti-mustachian luxury item but totally worth it.
0.o Even if I did want one, I 100% guarantee I wouldn't want to ask family for that as a gift! LOL!
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Possibly the most horrible suggestion ever: Can you ask for something that would be easy to re-sell??? I know, that's terrible. But I HATE getting crap that I don't want, so I think my ruthless suggestion is possibly a good one!
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Or you could ask for presents you can pass on to others.
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Scrooge McDuck pic just gave me an idea. Ask for a Gold coin -- or a silver one if the gift-givers aren't willing to spend much on you. (If they aren't maybe you need to be nicer to them. No?).
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I usually ask for accessories for things I have - extra feet for my sewing machine, nice thread, preserving (canning) bottles - things I'm sure I'll use, but don't have.
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If gift cards are tacky then cash would be fine, preferable even. Failing that maybe bonds? Explain that you don't really want stuff, you want money to buy your freedom? If all else fails, socks and underwear.
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I ask for help doing renovations. Usually I can do stuff on my own, but it's much nicer to have someone helping you lift that drywall overhead while you're screwing it to the ceiling.
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If it's people that feel the need to give physical items, then I'll ask for things I can use up or are disposable:
- fancy tea or coffee
- wine
- chocolate
- fancy cheese or nuts
- flowers
- books (you can always donate them after you have read them)
- nice hand soap
- body wash
- hand cream
- comfy socks to wear as slippers around the house
Luckily in my family we've basically given up on gifts. I just have to convince my SO's family of the same...
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If you don't have one an e reader like a Kindle is a good mustachian gift. You can borrow library books on one plus there is a ton of free stuff available on Amazon. I have more books than I can read in a year on my Kindle right now. Also if you have friends or family with a Kindle you can lend books to each other. And then you can always ask for Amazon gift cards for other gift giving occasions when you need gift ideas.