Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Works-For-Me-Wednesday: Giving the Gift of Magazines (Frugally)

Welcome to this week's edition of Works-For-Me-Wendesday. Swing by Shannon's blog for more great ideas (and I mean More with a capital "M") for you & your family!

This week I am going to clue you into giving another frugal gift. For each holiday & birthday, I try and get someone a gift subscription to a magazine. Do I purchase these gift subscriptions from those handy little slips in the magazine? Of course not! Those prices are ridiculous! Instead, I make most of my magazine subscription purchases off of Ebay. Ebay, you say? Why, yes! Ebay has dirt cheap subscriptions and I think magazine subscriptions are the perfect gift. They get a whole year's worth of magazines and you get these magazines for little to no money. For example, I got someone in my family a gift subscription for three years for only $3.97. This magazine retailed for $14.97 per year. This person was *super* happy and I was *super* happy because I didn't spend an arm and a leg buying them a gift.

Just a couple of little helpful hints about purchasing magazines through Ebay. First, make sure you include the gift recipient's address. Don't forget to include this (I usually include this in the notes section or however the listing descibes I should include this information) or the magazine will come to you (and that would be so silly!). Also, make sure that you read the reviews of the seller. Don't buy from someone who has lots of negative feedback or from someone that has no feedback. You want a Power Seller or someone who is known for providing services as described and who has gotten rave reviews from their buyer. Finally, make sure that there is no shipping and handling on the magazine. For example, I was buying a gift for someone and the subscription price said $1.99 for a year's worth of O! Magazine. What a great deal, right? Wrong! The seller wanted $19.97 for shipping the magazines. What a rip off!

Some of the more obscure publications are not available, but the basics are usually easy to find. Just search under the magazine name!

If you don't want to pay for magazines at all, read my blog entry on getting free magazines (or this other entry that includes some more great information). What am I getting for free right now? Spin, Interview, Family Fun, & Antiques magazine. How cool is that?

If you are new to the world of The Motherload, be sure to visit my past WFMW entries for even more great ideas!

Solution for Cheap Trash Bags
Programming Your Cell Phone
Free Up Pantry Space: Make a Snack
Weeding Through Your Child's Art Work Creatively
Using the Coffee Maker With Ease
Making Your Spice Rack Usable
Maximizing Space

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17Comments:

Blogger Katrina
"This is a great idea. Thanks for the tip!"

at 10:15 AM  

Anonymous LammyAnn
"Y'know--that is really smart. I did that a few times and then promptly forgot about it.
Great idea."

at 10:31 AM  

Blogger Mama Duck
"Wow, I'm going to try that, I never thought of looking there for magazines!"

at 11:44 AM  

Anonymous DivaP
"Great tip! I am going to have to look into this for some of the subscriptions I want to pick up for myself (and for upcoming gifts)! I played today :)"

at 11:54 AM  

Blogger Shalee
"Wow! I had no idea that ebay had that too. I'll be checking that out soon!"

at 12:36 PM  

Blogger Glass Half Full
"Three cheers for this idea! I did this for my nephews' Christmas gifts and it was the best. No toy clutter and they look forward to it every month. EXCELLENT!!!"

at 1:30 PM  

Blogger Overwhelmed!
"I would've never thought of this. Thanks for sharing!

I've posted my first WFMW. Stop by and take a peek. :)"

at 1:39 PM  

Blogger Jennifer
"I do this, and it's great. I will keep it in mind for gifts."

at 1:53 PM  

Blogger Pieces
"That is a great tip! I love giving magazine subscriptions (the gift that gives all year long) but I've never thought about ebay. I'm off to check out your other posts on magazines now."

at 1:53 PM  

Blogger Lindsey @ Enjoythejourney
"I'm an ebay diva and I never thought about magazine subsriptions...going to go see if they have one for Family Fun...."

at 2:22 PM  

Blogger Pam
"OOOooo. GOOD one. Thanks for sharing that lovely bit of advice. I will definitely check it out. And thanks for stopping in to my place. I really appreciate it.
Pam"

at 6:28 PM  

Blogger Rachel
"Wow - Can't wait to try this!!!"

at 8:31 PM  

Blogger Lola
"My mother-in-law is a magazine addict, and you have just solved the ever present problem of what to buy for her.Brilliant!"

at 10:07 PM  

Blogger Lola
"Oh yeah, please check out my first ever WFMW idea!"

at 10:08 PM  

Blogger Slughorn
"This is BRILLIANT!

Here's what I just ordered:

Guideposts Sweet 16 - 3 years
National Geographic Kids - 1 year
Child Life - 1 year.

My total cost came in at $19.54

Now, let's hope I chose my seller wisely. (power seller w/ 99.9% positives -- the indications are good.)"

at 12:58 PM  

Blogger Slughorn
"BTW, at these prices, I didn't have to wait for Christmas to order. My kids will get their new subscriptions soon after the fall school term begins. :)"

at 12:59 PM  

Blogger Amy
"I am so happy for you (and for your children). Just think how much money you saved!! That is so wonderful- way to go!"

at 3:12 PM  

I am a frugal hacker
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