(JAPAN, Tokyo : Japanese women buy boxes of chocolates as gifts a day before St. Valentine’s Day in Tokyo on February 13, 2008. Women in Japan feel the need to give chocolate to their boyfriends, work colleagues and teachers on February 14 as a social obligation more than a sign of love. AFP PHOTO / Yoshikazu TSUNO)

I would be the first to say that an expensive dinner and something wrapped in a small package speaks and drips of love (pronounced luuuv). Sure, it does!

But since we are trying to be money-smart, how about exchanging ideas on how to strive for the same effect at less cost?

**after two hours**

Whew. Seems there are no ideas in this unromantic body. Went around the blogosphere and here are some thoughtful ideas I handpicked:

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Photo from Agence-France Presse

(I have not been able to access this blog for the last four days, so I’m posting my entry for last Friday.)

It’s such a pain to withdraw money from ATM machines these days. The lines are always so long! Since I am such an OC and would only transact with my bank’s ATM, finding one always feels like Amazing Race, the Trinoma leg.

A very good friend tried to convince me it was a goofy idea to spend so many calories hunting for the right ATM machine to save up on bank fees. I’ve got all those flabs to think about, after all. I wouldn’t want them to lack nutrients nyahaha.

Seriously, I do get overboard sometimes when it comes to “financial” stuff. I mean, there I was waiting 20 minutes for my turn at the ATM machine when I charge so much more than P11 for 20 minutes of my time! Wasn’t that crazy?

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If you want a discount of P1 per liter on your gasoline and a 50-centavo discount on diesel and kerosene, go bring your four-wheeled or two-wheeled babies now to Shell, Caltex and Eastern Petroleum stations.

Playing David to the big three Goliaths, Eastern Petroleum initiated the holiday price cut at 2 pm yesterday (Wednesday), prompting Shell and Petron to follow suit. Problem is, the price cut is only being offered in “selected competitive trading areas” and I have no idea where these are. Errr…just try near your place, will ya? You have only until Monday to get the discount!

Click on this link to read the breaking news article from INQUIRER.net.

After cooking more than seven batches of leche flan, rushing around the malls making last minute gift purchases and with still a few more odds and ends to buy, preparing for Christmas parties and goodies for kids, I’m pooped. I’m giddy with the Holiday whirl and I can imagine that many of you are, too! And traffic shows it, grrr.

So, I thought we could all do with some holiday reminders. It’s too easy to be afflicted with temporary moneysmart amnesia when you’re busy untangling Christmas lights and party decors.

Double-check your check payments
There must be more bounced checks in December than at any time of the year. If you are used to paying with post-dated checks, check now to make sure your December and January checks are funded with cash. Bank charges on insufficient funds are pretty nasty at P2,000 or higher. It may be Christmas season, but I don’t think that’s the kind of gift you want to give to your banker. Oh and here’s the time when having a good speaking relationship with the branch manager in your bank of account can be to your advantage. If you are considered a good enough client, he will call you to warn of an impending bounced check!

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Avoiding gift-giving gaffes is tricky. Is it proper to give your boss a Christmas gift or will others interpret that as trying to curry favors with the man or woman on top? If you decide that spreading Christmas cheer with a gift is just right during the holidays, what is the right budget for bosses, colleagues and subordinates?

This article from our personal finance section says you should remember that what works for one company might not work for another. If you have just moved into a new job, be sure to ask around first.

Here are the seven other tips from that article:

1. Make a gift list and set a budget. I always go overboard on gifts and not just on Christmas Day. I just love wrapping presents so much! A gift is not a gift to me without a beautiful ribbon . There’s something about choosing, buying or making and wrapping and presenting the gift that lifts my spirit up.

2. Foodstuffs are always welcome gifts. Easier to give to both ladies and male friends and colleagues too! The most popular ones this Christmas are chocolates, so far as I can tell.

3. Go for gifts recipients can use. Personally, I like giving gifts that people will never buy for themselves but this is a good tip too for the practical side of money-smart peeps.

4. Partner with others for group gifts. Makes sense especially for bosses.

5. Homemade gifts. Definitely not for children. More for the sentimental and mature persons in the universe. Can I now claim that I go for homemade gifts? Heehee.

6. Look for the right size. Since I do a lot of walking around Makati area, I find myself declining Christmas baskets that are very heavy and difficult to lug around.

7. Cash gifts are, again, very tricky. These days, everyone gives little envelopes – from the postman to the utility boy to the messenger who goes to your house only once a year. So what’s the proper amount to put in the envelope?

Here’s a little confession. Everybody keeps saying they can’t feel Christmassy anymore. It’s like the warm, fuzzy feeling of Christmas dies when people turn 12.

Maybe, it was the Christmas caroling in Binangonan, Rizal that I joined the previous weekend that changed me. Nothing like serenading houses on the side of the road to make your heart soar! You can’t give the gift of cheer without sprinkling some on yourself – so go spend a little and give a little especially of your time and yes, always do these with a smile.

Merry Christmas!