Incorporating The Cost Of Gift Giving
Managing gift giving
Brandy in Tampa, Florida:
"In 2000 my fiancé graduated from college along with a large
group of friends. I had graduated a year earlier and was already working
in my career. It seems that since we got engaged and moved in together,
all we do is go to his college friends’ weddings, showers, and house
warming parties. Since we’re trying to budget for a wedding of our own
next year, I find it hard to spend so much money on his friends’ gifts.
Most of this comes out of my pocket because he has just started his job
and is still at the low end of his income potential. How can I tell him
without upsetting him that we need to reduce our spending on these
gifts?"
Brandy it seems that you have a very
legitimate complaint. This complaint provides you with a great
opportunity to cultivate an atmosphere of openness and understanding in
your relationship.
This is a good exercise for budgeting for your own wedding. Who will be
paying for what? Have you formalized the budget yet? Maybe once he sees
your own wedding budget in print, he won’t be so tempted to overspend on
his friends’ gifts. If they are truly his friends, they know his
situation and will understand.
Before the next occasion pops up, tell him that you would like help in
figuring out what to give and how to pay for it.
It’s a great opportunity for conversations about budgeting and finances
for the wedding and beyond.
Additional information on this topic:
Read Earlier Articles
Editorial Calendar &
Monthly Budget Worksheet
Important Financial Help
Websites and Phone Numbers
mindy@overcoffeenotary.com
