Gift Ideas for the Personal Finance Nerd in Your Life

Is it just me or do you find it harder and harder for gift ideas as the years go by?

When my fiance and I first started dating, I gave so many thoughtful, cool gifts (such as tickets to hear an orchestra play all the songs from Star Wars. He’s a Star Wars geek, whereas I am more Harry Potter and Hunger Games). We stopped giving gifts a couple of years ago because we didn’t know what to get each other any more. Now that we have a joint account and share some expenses, I feel as if I would be buying him a gift with his money.

I will be a good fiance and buy him a case of beer here and there, but gift giving for formal occasions stresses me out big time.

Don’t even get me started on my parents. I want to get them anything and everything because they provided me with so much and helped me live a comfortable life.  Every year I am constantly racking my brain for gift ideas.Now that they’re retired and partying like it’s 1979, they seem happier and healthier. Their stress levels have decreased significantly.

So in the words of my dad, “Why would I need anything more? I have everything already.”

If anything, I would probably try to give them the gift of my time, which I seem to have too little of these days.

What about that personal finance nerd in your life?

Most people know I’m pretty frugal, but I don’t think they know how into my finances I REALLY AM. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always make its way to dinner conversation topics, unless I’m with my mom.

If you do have a personal finance nerd in your life and are stuck on what to get them, here are a few ideas:

1. Gift cards

Ok, so this can apply to pretty much everyone, but your PF nerd will be psyched knowing that he/she will save more money ( I say more, because most likely they already have a coupon/coupon code/points for the item or the item is on sale) on the item they want to purchase.

2. Cleaning Services/Cooking Services

It seems the majority of PF bloggers work multiple jobs. They hustle their A$$E$ off!! While they are able to multi-task and make good use of their time, they always want more time. Some of them, including myself, really hate cooking and would rather watch paint dry. Give them the gift of cleaning and cooking, so they can spend more time doing other things, such as making more money or just plain ol’ relaxing.

3.  Scratch ‘N’ Win Lottery Tickets

The only way I play the lottery is by contributing money every so often to the work lottery pool. I have never purchased a lottery ticket or scratch ‘n’ win in my life. However, I have received them before as stocking stuffers and have actually won some money from them. What PF nerd wouldn’t want free money?!!?

4. Personal Finance Books

It’s quite obvious that the personal finance industry is HUGE. There are a ton of books out there for people of every PF level.  While many PF nerds would go to the  library because books are so freakin’ expensive, you can only have the book for so long before you have to return it. I find reference books are good to have in your personal library, just in case you need to go back and look something up.

5. Magazine or Newspaper Subscription

With so many things going paperless nowadays, receiving mail is almost like a little treat.  I find receiving an email about my gas bill isn’t as bad as actually opening the envelope. Why not give them a year subscription to their favourite magazine? It’s like getting a gift every month!! It doesn’t necessarily have to be a finance magazine either. We PF nerds have many interests and hobbies. 🙂

6.  Collectable Coins

NOT the ones you collect in your car console to pay for your coffee, but ones from the mint. These coins are actually worth something and if necessary, could be sold at face value.

Note: My dad is an avid coin and stamp collector and has been for many years. When I was a kid, I would look through his collections. I have no idea what they’re worth and I’m not sure if he does either, but I’m sure they’re worth something.

7.  Stocks

I didn’t even know this existed until my nephews each received a stock share from different companies for their birthdays. I don’t really know much about this, but Investopedia provides some info. OneShare is a website that allows you buy stocks for other people. The recipient receives a framed stock certificate. The website says rather than buying them stuff from that company, make them a shareholder instead.  Sounds pretty cool!

 

Have you ever received a stock share as a gift?

What would you want to give/receive from this list? Do you have any cool personal finance gift ideas? Please share!