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Christmas Present Tips for Guys

Christmas Shopping Tips for Guys

giftgreen1Most of us guys are useless at Christmas shopping. Here's a few tips I've picked up over the years.

Ladies, you might want to share this with the men in your family to avoid getting an undesirable and badly wrapped present this Christmas.

  1. Buying your Christmas presents at a petrol station or dairy on Christmas morning really isn't the done thing - apparently not everyone wants a funnel, box of biscuits or a car care kit. Don't do it.
  2. Get started early, no not on Christmas Eve, yesterday was already too late.
  3. First thing in the morning is the best time to Christmas shop, and I mean first thing, teenagers are still in bed.
  4. It's not the thought that counts, it's how MUCH thought that counts.
  5. Cash is a GREAT present for teenagers - and me.
  6. If you must give gift vouchers make sure they are from a shop the recipient actually shops in and try and avoid those with an expiry date.
  7. Wrapping and cards are important, you and I know it's just paper but for some reason they are important.
  8. Before you start browsing in a shop check that it does gift wrapping and accept the service - wait if necessary. If the shop doesn't do gift wrapping move on to the next. Unless you are an expert present wrapper - Yeah Right!
  9. Even if every present you buy is gift wrapped, buy plenty of wrapping paper and sellotape. You are going to need it because dairy's and petrol stations don't gift wrap and being a bloke you'll probably ignore number 1.

Guys ignore the above at your peril and have a wonderful Christmas.

Posted in Debt Management.

Sometimes it is worth being in debt

man at lecturnFor most of us living a life without debt is almost impossible. Whether it is credit cards, student loans, or a mortgage, debt is just a part of life.

Nobody actually likes being in debt, but sometimes it is a smart move.

Certainly when it comes to investing in your education, or future ability to earn more money, debt can be very sensible. As it is with buying a house.

But what makes some debt good debt

A simple way to explain it is that it makes sense to borrow to buy an asset which will go up in value. Bad debt therefore is borrowing for anything which will decrease in value.

Good debt funds investments, or assets, that we otherwise could not afford to buy. It helps by creating leverage to purchase assets or investments that will help you become wealthier over time. Having said all that, it is worth investigating one type of debt a little further:

Student loans

Research shows higher education leads to higher incomes, and degrees definitely add income for many. That in turn provides you with the chance to save and invest more than the average person, and increase wealth.

The problem is, there are many degrees and a lot of higher education provided today which does not lead to higher earnings. Some degrees just do not pay off by leading to better income earning jobs.

When it's good: If you have a clear career path with the potential to earn a lot of money and need to finance your higher education with loans. Just be sure to borrow only what you need and continue to save.

When it's bad: If your chosen career path will not generate significant income and you need to take out a bunch of loans to pay for your education.

Debt

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