Don't Be Shy

Around holidays or birthdays, most of us will get asked this question: "What do you want?"

For some reason, the polite answer is, "You don't have to get me anything." or "I don't know, I don't need anything."

Now, there are genuinely some people who I really feel shouldn't get me anything. So, I have said that. But there are others who I KNOW are going to get me something: my mom, grandma, etc. I would include BF, but we have a policy of not asking what the other wants and just surprising each other. I do hint though. :) And give positive reinforcement for the gifts I really like.

But for those of us who are striving to pay off debt or build a savings, this is an opportunity to allow someone to help you in your goals. So when one of the people who is definitely going to get me something asks, I try to come up with something that I need or have been wanting to buy anyway. For example, around Christmas my mom asked me and I told her that I wanted new wine glasses, since I had managed to break most of mine. This gave her something to get, and I am pleased to have new wine glasses (in fact, I am using one right now to drink a bottle of wine that BF's dad got for me for Christmas). My grandma mostly does gift cards, so I made sure to tell her that I really liked my gift card to Marshalls that I got last year (and used the one she got this year to get new knives and sheets...both things we really needed). A friend asked what I wanted for my birthday, and I mentioned that I missed getting the magazine Real Simple, and she got me a subscription.

Of course any gift I receive is great...and I've gotten some great things that I didn't ask for. Obviously I'm not advocating running around and announcing demands when they're unsolicited. But, if someone asks what you'd like, TELL THEM. It makes everyone happier, and it can definitely help you reach your financial goals faster.

Do you tell people what you want as gifts, or do you prefer the surprise?