You probably know someone who aspires to be a Savinly reader but is held back by a lower-paying job, a scattered budget or a small business hope that hasn’t yet taken off.
This holiday season, give that person one of these eight presents to support their financial progress.
These gifts can help them craft a stronger budget, reach career milestones and begin accumulating those pennies!
Here are eight practical money-management gift ideas:
- Budget planner
- A personal finance book
- Piggy bank
- A session with a Certified Financial Planner
- Coupon organizer
- Professional development course
- An estate planning binder
- Budgeting gift basket
Make Quick Cash to Help Cover Holiday Gifts
If you’re planning to buy presents that help loved ones manage money, you should also look after your own spending. If your holiday budget’s tight, some of our favorite ways to earn easy cash can help you cover the cost of these money-management gifts.
8 Money-Management Gifts Everyone Will Appreciate
1. Budget Planner
A budget planner is a fantastic way to help a friend or family member bring order to their finances.
Budget planners are available in many formats, from compact pocket versions to hardcover multi-year planners.
Some planners guide users through specific budgeting systems, while others provide ample blank space for personalized financial tracking.
Choose a cover that fits the recipient’s taste — they’re more likely to use it if they enjoy its appearance.
For under $20 you can find a solid budget planner on Amazon or at Barnes & Noble.
2. A Personal Finance Book, Like “Your Money or Your Life”
If the person on your list likes to read, a personal-finance book can ignite their interest in managing money better.
Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez’s “Your Money or Your Life” remains one of the most influential personal finance guides ever published.
It walks readers through how to increase income while reducing expenses.
If you plan to save by buying a used copy — classic Savinly move — get the latest edition. Robin and Dominguez update the book periodically so the advice stays relevant and practical.
Here are some other finance books we recommend:
- “Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki
- “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill
- “Your Playbook for Tough Times” by Donna Freedman
- “I Will Teach You to Be Rich” by Ramit Sethi
- “Why Didn’t They Teach Me This in School?” by Cary Siegel
- “Broke Millennial Talks Money” by Erin Lowry
3. Piggy Bank
A piggy bank — perhaps already stocked with a few coins — can be a playful way to motivate someone to begin saving.
You can opt for a classic ceramic pig, but there are also modern, clever choices out there.
For instance, consider an electronic owl-shaped piggy bank that keeps a running total of the funds deposited.
Or, for a high-tech twist, look at this personal ATM savings machine. It’s password-protected, comes with its own debit-style card and accepts coins, too.
4. A Session With a Certified Financial Planner
Many people don’t realize the benefit of a knowledgeable certified financial planner until they actually meet with one.
A single hour-long appointment is an excellent chance for your friend to go over everything from upcoming tax strategies to saving for their children’s college.
If someone you know often says, “I wish I knew more about investing” or “How much should I save for retirement?” a session with a planner could be the most valuable present you give.
A one-hour consultation typically costs roughly $100 to $300. You can search for a financial planner in your area here.
5. Coupon Organizer
While many coupons are digital now, a compact coupon organizer helps keep printed discounts and receipts neatly sorted.
Manufacturer coupons, gift cards, restaurant offers and receipts can all be stored in a case that fits easily into a purse or backpack.
Alternatively, consider the Clip It: Coupon Organizer from Barnes & Noble.
It features 24 pockets, a wipe-clean meal planner, a reusable grocery list and 32 pages of couponing tips.
6. Professional Development Course
Pay for a professional development course and you’ll be giving a gift that can keep generating income.
Ask them which skills they want to sharpen to progress at work or grow a small business — then offer to cover a class that teaches those abilities.
These courses are also valuable for building professional contacts. They provide a setting for both education and networking.
Think about enrolling them in a MasterClass, or buying a gift certificate to an online learning site so they can choose their own course.
7. An Estate Planning Binder
Talking about death is difficult, but estate planning matters.
If an older family member has put off making a will, a lighthearted but practical gift like “I’m Dead, Now What?” can open the conversation. Younger adults will also find an estate binder useful.
An estate planning binder provides space to record critical details like retirement accounts, life-insurance information and passwords.
It also includes places for contacts, legal papers, medical directives, final wishes and biographical notes such as parents’ names and birthplaces.
8. Budgeting Gift Basket
If you’re watching your own spending, make a DIY budgeting gift basket.
Fill it with essentials like highlighters, pens, a calculator and a notebook, then add a personal-finance book or a family bill organizer.
You could toss in a cute wallet or small piggy bank — both commonly available for under $10 at flea markets and discount stores.
This present is ideal for children, but it’s also a thoughtful gift for expectant parents or newlyweds.
A new chapter in life is often the perfect moment to start organizing finances and getting serious about budgeting. For additional help planning holiday expenses, consider a christmas saving plan to keep your own finances on track.
Alex Morgan is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance and a senior writer for Savinly.
