Photo courtesy of www.dollarstorecrafts.com
By ANDREA WOROCH
With an uncertain job market and perhaps a mountain of loans facing this year’s college graduates, they likely will appreciate a practical gift to help them get started on their post-academic life. Here are 11 that surely will make an impression:
1. Cash: Life after graduation is exciting but it’s also laden with ugly financial responsibilities like credit card and student loan debt. In fact, total borrowing for student loans in a single year eclipsed $100 billion for the first time ever in 2010. Despite the perceived lack of effort associated with gifting cash, new grads are likely your most enthusiastic recipients.
2. Gift cards: Though cash is very useful, who’s to say the new grad will spend it wisely when temptations abound? Reduce distractions by creating a http://www.cardavenue.com/and have family and friends purchase cards to restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations and department stores to help your graduate with everyday expenses.
3. Resume service: Most colleges have career centers with advisers available to assist students with their career search and resume development, but that “free” service is gone upon graduation. If your new grad is still struggling with effectively conveying his accomplishments on paper, consider gifting him with a professional resume service.
4. Financial planning session: One of the best gifts you can offer a recent grad is the opportunity to begin her new life on the right financial foot. By purchasing one or more professional financial planning sessions, you’re offering the opportunity to learn the most effective approach for establishing a budget, paying off debt and saving for retirement.
5. Personal finance books: If a professional financial planner is out of the question budget-wise, opt for the DIY approach to personal finance: buy a book. You may think that’s a bad gift for someone who’s just retired their textbooks forever, but personal finance advice is invaluable to a generation laden with debt. Plus, these recommended titles from http://www.budgetsaresexy.com/recommend/ are offered by a man who sports a mohawk and refers to budgets as “sexy.” Ultimately, you can’t find a cooler money mentor.
6. Foreign language lessons: The job market may be looking up for 2012 grads, but ultimately it never hurts to add to your skill set. Knowing a second language is not only impressive, it opens up job opportunities throughout the globe. Rosetta Stone is an affordable alternative to formal instruction and offers the added advantage of mobility.
7. Magazine or newspaper subscriptions: In addition to enhancing skills sets, being in the know about the latest happenings helps job seekers stay informed and relevant. A subscription — either digital or hard copy — to The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal ensures a well-rounded education on current events. Alternatively, offering a trade magazine within the graduate’s area of study or interest is another good option.
8. Roth IRA: Most twenty-somethings are caught up with immediate concerns — where to work, where to live, and how to afford it all — so opening a Roth IRA helps jump-start saving for the future. Account holders can make tax-free withdrawals once they hit retirement age, and better yet, they can withdraw contributions tax and penalty-free. It’s important to know the basics of Roth IRAs from http://www.kiplinger.com/columns/ask/archive/the-basics-of-roth-iras.html, however, in order to effectively manage the account.
9. Job interview clothing: After living on graphic tees and torn jeans, it’s likely the new grad in your life could use some “grown-up clothes” for job interviews. If the preferred style of the recipient and the required wardrobe of the industry are unknown to you, offer a gift card. Otherwise, schedule a suit fitting or organize a shopping spree and help the budding professional select the proper attire.
10. Smartphone: As the nomenclature suggests, a smartphone is a savvy way for new grads to stay on top of communications from potential employers, navigate their way through unfamiliar streets and keep in touch with Mom and Dad. Additionally, the abundance of apps for everything from cheap dinner recipes to budget-management tools makes young lives a little easier.
11. Moving truck: Anyone who’s moved down the street or across the country knows the costs involved are anything but cheap. If the area in which the happy graduate went to school is not where she intends to stay, consider helping her with moving costs by contributing to a truck rental (if needed). Otherwise, offer your labor in exchange for lunch and help her lug boxes for an afternoon.
Andrea Woroch is a nationally-recognized consumer and money-saving expert who helps consumers live on less without radically changing their lifestyles. From smart spending tips to personal finance advice, Andrea transforms everyday consumers into savvy shoppers. She has been featured among top news outlets such as Good Morning
